LIAM Payne’s girlfriend has been seen for the first time since the singer fell to his death.
Kate Cassidy, 25, looked distraught as she was spotted shopping in Wellington, Florida, with pals.
She was snapped without makeup and wearing joggers, Christian Dior sandals and an oversized T-shirt as the group left Jake’s pet supplies.
The 31-year-old former One Direction bandmate tragically died on Wednesday afternoon.
His cause of death was multiple injuries after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Kate had been on holiday with him in the South American country but returned home to the US two days earlier.
The images of her were taken just hours after the news of Liam’s death broke.
It comes as:
On Friday, Kate took to her Instagram where she said she was at “a complete loss”.
She wrote: “Nothing about the past few days have felt real.
“I ask and pray that you’ll give me the grace and space to navigate this in private.
“Liam, my angel. You are everything.
“I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. I love you Liam.”
The couple had flown out to Argentina to watch Liam’s One Direction pal Niall Horan perform in the country and, while out there, extended their stay.
After two weeks away the American actress revealed she was ready to leave and decided to head home.
She explained on TikTok: “Honestly, love South America but I hate staying in one place for too long. And we were supposed to be there for, like, five days, turned into two weeks.
“I was just like, ‘I need to go home’.”
The pair were together for two years and recently moved into a new home in Florida.
Liam was first linked to Kate in October 2022, before making their first red carpet debut together two months later.
Kate’s final Instagram post of the pair together, pictured at a wedding just weeks before his death, prompted emotional tributes from fans.
The couple went to their friends nuptials in Paris and were pictured looking loved up at a beautiful estate.
SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.
“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.
Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”
Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.
He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”
James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a “loving and kind soul”.
The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: “Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.
“I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x.”
Payne previously appeared on Cordon’s The Late Late Show in America.
Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall – who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part – described him as “the first friend I made in this industry”.
She said: “We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.
“Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we’d ‘make it’. I hope you are at peace now”.
Camila Cabello described his death as a “tragedy” and said he “made an impression” on her when she was a young girl.
Liam was suited and booted and Kate wore a yellow off-the-shoulder dress for the occasion.
Kate captioned it: “The most stunning evening, we celebrate the lovebirds.”
Devastated fans have left a flurry of comments underneath Kate’s post and commented on how happy the pair looked at the time.
One follower wrote: “Thank you for making him happy again, even just for a little while, we’ll be always grateful for that.
“Wish you well, Kate! I know it’s hard but stay strong! We’re trying over here too.”
A second said: “People saying that he was happy in those pics prove that social media are so fake.”
On Wednesday night, it was confirmed to The Sun that Liam has died.
The singer-songwriter was staying at Hotel CasaSur in the neighbourhood of Palermo in Argentina.
Witnesses said Liam smashed his laptop and had to be carried back to his room following an erratic incident earlier in the day, TMZ reports.
His death was confirmed as soon as ambulance crews arrived.
Cops discovered “what appeared to be narcotics, alcohol, destroyed objects and furniture” in his room.
Photos published by Argentine media showed white powder, burnt aluminium foil and a smashed TV screen inside his suite.
Forensic teams reported that a whiskey bottle, lighter and mobile phone were retrieved from the building’s internal courtyard where Liam’s body was found.
But cops are yet to confirm what the substances found in the room are and are due to run tests on them shortly.
The singer had been open about his battles with addiction in the past.
