Liam Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, has reflected on her grief following the One Direction star’s death.
Tragedy struck on October 16 when the Strip That Down hitmaker died at the tender age of 31.
Payne, who rose to fame as 1/5 of 1D in 2010, fell three floors from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and died instantly from ‘internal and external haemorrhaging.’
As Payne’s family, friends, and fans now navigate a world without him, girlfriend Cassidy, who dated the pop star for two years, has penned an emotional post during her first Christmas since the ‘love of her life’ died.
Taking to her Instagram Story on Christmas Eve, the 25-year-old shared a post reading: ‘As the holidays are here I realise it is a time for happiness and joy, but it is also a time of sadness and grief for so many.
‘Be gentle with those around you this time of year as the holidays can feel different for everyone.’
She added to her 857,000 followers: ‘Sending all my love to those carrying grief this holiday.
‘I hope the season brings you comfort and peace. Wishing everyone a love-filled and healthy holiday season this year.’
Her message comes after Cassidy revealed a special tattoo tribute for Payne.
Earlier this week and having returned home for the holidays, she shared a photo of herself wearing her pyjamas, lounging on the bed as she cuddled up to her dog, Nala.
Fans noticed that, as she continues to grieve, the former waitress has added an emotional inking, as she now has angel wings on her left index and middle finger.
The pooch Cassidy cuddles in the sweet snap – over which she added a simple red heart emoji – was adopted by the couple just one month before Payne’s untimely death.
Speaking previously about bringing the four-legged friend into their family, Payne said they first met Nala during ‘a meet and greet with a couple of doggos’.
He added of their pet: ‘I really love her. She is so cute. She is a tiny new member of the family for a while.
‘We’re going to foster her for a while and get her really nice for a loving family, I think. But we might be the nice family.’
Kate added: ‘We did a meet and greet with three different dogs, and this one fit us best. She’s so sweet. She’s only four months old.
‘She was abandoned by her previous owners and dumped at the shelter. We wanted to give her a second chance and a better life.’
While Cassidy has only shared a few social media posts since her boyfriend’s death, one of those was a loving tribute to Payne, which also ties in with her new body art.
In the days after Payne’s death, she revealed that he had plans to propose to her in the next year while declaring that ‘[her] heart is shattered in ways [she] can’t put into words.’
The internet personality thanked fans for their support and condolences, writing directly to Payne: ‘I wish you could see the huge impact you’ve had on the world, even as it feels so dark right now.
‘You brought so much happiness and positivity to everyone – millions of fans, your family, friends, and especially me. You are so incredibly loved.’
She added: ‘You are – because I can’t say were – my best friend, the love of my life, and everyone you touched felt just as special as I did. Your energy was contagious, lighting up every room you walked into.’
Cassidy, who left South America for Miami just days before Payne’s death, described him as ‘the kindest soul and the most fun-loving spirit’, stating: ‘It feels like I’ve lost the best part of myself.’
In a separate tribute post, she wrote the number ‘444,’ which is widely considered ‘an angel number.’
Cassidy attended Payne’s funeral on November 20, near his home in London.
His bandmates – Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles – were also in attendance, along with Simon Cowell, James Corden, and ex-partner Cheryl, with whom Payne shares seven-year-old son Bear.
An investigation is still ongoing into the circumstances surrounding Payne’s death. Most recently, two suspects were summoned for questioning by a judge but declined to testify.
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Several arrests have already been made in connection to the fatality. In early November, Argentina’s public prosecutor confirmed three people had been detained, including two hotel workers and one of Payne’s friends.
All had been formally charged with ‘abandonment of a person followed by death, supply, and facilitation of narcotics’, with the crimes punishable by a prison sentence of up to 15 years on conviction, if found guilty.
Payne’s autopsy concluded that he died from multiple injuries and external bleeding after his fall from the CasaSur hotel.
Subsequent toxicology exams showed that there were ‘traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescribed antidepressant’ in his system.
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