“I will continue to love you for the rest of my life”

New Delhi:

Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy has paid an emotional tribute to the late One Direction member, who died tragically aged 31. On Friday, Kate thanked everyone for their “kind words and love” during this difficult time. She wrote: “Thank you for all the kind words and love you’ve sent me. I’ve been completely lost. Nothing the past few days has felt real. I ask and pray that you give me the grace and space to navigate through in private.”

She added: “Liam my angel. You are everything. I want you to know that I have loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. I love you Liam.”

Liam Payne died after falling three stories from a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31 years old. Alberto Crescenti, head of the state’s emergency medical system, said he fell in a courtyard of the Casa Sur hotel. The National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to Gent that the autopsy revealed that 25 injuries were “compatible with those caused by a fall from a height”. They noted that “injuries to the head were sufficient to cause death,” along with internal and external bleeding in various parts of his body such as “the skull, thorax, abdomen and extremities.” According to La Nación, hotel staff had previously contacted the police about an “aggressive man who may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”

Just hours before news of Liam’s death broke, the former One Direction member was actively sharing his updates on social media. The singer was on holiday in Buenos Aires with his girlfriend and influencer Kate Cassidy. An hour before his death, Liam posted several Snapchat stories, where he was seen posing at the breakfast table. He said: “A beautiful day in Argentina,” as he teased Kate for leaving her hat on the table. “Kids,” he muttered jokingly. He continued, “It’s a beautiful day here in Argentina,” as he captured the lush backyard, palm trees and clear blue sky. “This is the breakfast table. Just enjoying coffee and breakfast even though it’s 1pm,” he said.

Kate laughed back: “We literally sleep until at least 12 every day. We’re such losers.” Liam Payne’s last Snapchat story was a mirror selfie of them in bathing suits. ICYDK, the couple started dating in October 2022.

Born in Wolverhampton, England, Liam Payne first came to attention as a contestant on The X Factor in 2008, but was eliminated. He returned two years later, joining Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik to form One Direction, who came third on the show and subsequently signed to Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment. During their active years from 2010 to 2016, One Direction became one of the most successful boy bands in history, selling over 70 million records worldwide. After announcing an indefinite hiatus, the members pursued solo careers.

Liam Payne began his solo career in 2017 with the hit single Strip That Down, featuring Quavo, which reached the top 10 in the US and reached number 3 in the UK. His debut album, LP1, released in December 2019, reached number 17 in the UK. Earlier this year, he released his latest single, Teardrops, along with an acoustic version.