Liam Payne passed away on October 16, 2024, in Argentina following a fall that resulted in injuries. He had embarked on the trip with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, on September 30, primarily to attend a Niall Horan concert.
As evidenced by his last Instagram post, Payne was reflecting on his time with One Direction during his final days. However, on October 14, Cassidy opted to return to the U.S. while Payne remained in Argentina.
Cassidy shared her feelings about the trip in a TikTok video, stating, “I was so ready to leave. Love South America, but I hate staying in one place for too long.”
Cassidy’s caption for the photo series expressed gratitude for life’s simple moments, accompanied by heart emojis
As an influencer, travel content is an important aspect of her brand, and she explained that her stay extended about nine days longer than she had initially planned, prompting her to head back to Florida. “I was so happy to be home,” she expressed, describing the feeling as a relief.
Before leaving, Cassidy posted a series of still photos from their trip, starting with an image of her on a horse and concluding with Payne preparing to ride. In her caption, she expressed gratitude for life’s simple pleasures, adding heart emojis. As of now, she has not publicly addressed Payne’s tragic passing on her social media platforms.
The romance between Liam Payne and Kate Cassidy began in October 2022, when she was 23 and had just started working at a friend’s club. Despite being warned that Payne was there, she still felt star-struck. In a TikTok video, she recalled, “I was pretty much freaking out… I guess we made awkward eye contact for a second.”
Instantly attracted to her, Payne was eager to obtain Cassidy’s phone number. As they chatted comfortably, she initially didn’t recognize his interest. After finally getting her number, Payne faced challenges texting her due to his U.K. phone and Cassidy’s phone being off.
Fortunately, they managed to connect the next day and went on their first date, which led Payne to adjust his travel plans to spend three additional days with her.
Prior to his relationship with Cassidy, Payne had a rocky romance with Maya Henry that ended in May 2022. While he had shared his struggles with relationships during his breakup with Henry, his connection with Cassidy felt more natural.
As their relationship progressed, Payne’s feelings for Cassidy intensified. In a December 2022 Instagram story, he expressed, “I’ve never felt a love like I do for Katelyn. We make each other better people,” reflecting on their bond.
During her relationship with Liam Payne, Kate Cassidy often provided her social media followers with insights into their life together. In November 2023, she revealed she had been a fan of Payne since she was 10 years old.
In a TikTok video that month, she showcased a drawing she made of him during her childhood fandom, then opened her bedroom door to find the present-day Payne lounging on her bed.
Their relationship also allowed Cassidy to meet some of Payne’s former One Direction bandmates. They attended Louis Tomlinson’s documentary premiere in March 2023, where Cassidy wrote on Instagram, “I’m so glad I got to share those moments with you watching your best friend, even the tearful ones,” alongside a photo of them on the red carpet.
Just two weeks before Payne’s death, in October 2024, they attended Niall Horan’s concert together, and Cassidy shared a TikTok video that included clips of them embracing and dancing at the event.
In addition to glamorous events, the couple enjoyed everyday activities together. Cassidy shared a TikTok video with the caption, “He drags me to bowling at least four times a week.” This pastime was particularly meaningful for them, as bowling was part of their first date.
