Liam Payne’s heartbroken partner, Kate Cassidy, has disclosed the harrowing message she received just three days following his untimely demise as she admittedly “blacked out”.

The former One Direction star tragically lost his life at 31 after a fall from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In her first public statement since the tragedy, an emotional Kate recounted the gut-wrenching moment she realised Liam would never return.

While preparing Halloween decorations at their residence and having hired someone to fix the lights, Kate was confronted with the reality of Liam’s absence when the handyman enquired if Liam had enjoyed the Halloween surprise. Overwhelmed by grief, Kate broke down, acknowledging she had never anticipated such a calamity befalling Liam, and shared that they had led “own separate lives”.

During the interview, Kate inadvertently referred to Liam in the present tense before attempting to correct herself. In a poignant confession to the Sun, she revealed she still dials Liam’s number just to listen to his voicemail.

When learning about his death Kate admitted she didn’t believe it at first and attempted to blank it out.

In an emotional tribute to her late boyfriend on social media, Kate revealed that they had been planning to take their relationship to the next level prior to his death.

Kate shared: “A few weeks ago we sat outside on a beautiful evening manifesting our lives together. I keep your note close, even though you told me not to look at it. It said: ‘Me and Kate to marry within a year/engaged and together forever 444. Liam, I know we’ll be together forever, but not in the way that we planned. You’ll always be with me. I’ve gained a guardian angel. I will love you for the rest of my life and beyond, carrying our dreams and memories with me wherever I go. Forever yours, Katelyn, 444.”

Kate also explained that the repeated number “444” held special significance for the couple, as it symbolised the presence of angels, specifically that the individual is protected and loved.

Despite her pain, Kate attended Liam’s funeral service at St Mary’s Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, alongside her friend Damian Hurley. Following the service, a visibly distraught Kate remained in England for a period before tearfully navigating the streets of London.

Kate had parted ways with Liam, in Argentina temporarily while she returned to their Miami home on October 14, allowing him to renew his US visa, which ultimately proved to be just days before his untimely passing.

On social media, the traveller expressed her frustration at being stuck in one location too long.

In a TikTok video before the tragic incident, Kate shared: “I was so ready to leave. Love South America, but I hate staying in one place for too long and we were supposed to be there for five days, turned into two weeks and I was just like, ‘I need to go home.'”.