Four months after Liam Payne tragically fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Argentina, his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, is opening up about the devastating loss. She and Liam dated for two years before the former One Direction singer died, and they frequently posted relationship content on TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. They were on vacation together in Argentina last October, but Kate went home early and wasn’t there when Liam’s fatal fall occurred.

Although the influencer has shared social media tributes to Liam since his death, her February 5 conversation with The Sun is her first interview about the loss. In a February 5 Instagram Story, Kate explained that she “wanted to share an insight into the relationship with the love of my life” after receiving messages from his fans. “This is my first ever interview while I navigate the pain of losing Liam, so please bear with me as I share my experience, which I hope will be received with compassion and understanding,” she wrote.

Here’s what Kate Cassidy shared about Liam Payne’s death during her emotional interview with The Sun.

Kate Cassidy The Sun Interview: Comments On Liam Payne’s Death

Why Did Kate Cassidy Leave Argentina?

Kate told The Sun that she wishes she had stayed in Argentina instead of heading back to their Florida home. “I had a responsibility, we had a responsibility,” she explained. “We had our dog and obviously I never, ever thought this event would occur.” She and Liam shared a rescue dog named Nala.

“But, you know, we did have our own separate lives — this wasn’t the first time we have traveled separately,” the influencer shared. “I just never thought this would have happened, that it would turn out the way it did. It still doesn’t feel fully real for me that he’s not here.” Kate called Liam’s death a “tragic accident.”

When she left Argentina shortly before Liam died, Kate posted a TikTok documenting her journey home. In the vlog, she explained that she was just “so ready to leave” and “hate(s) staying in one place for too long.”

Kate Cassidy’s Last Text To Liam Payne

While speaking with the U.K. outlet, Kate shared her final text to Liam. After coming home to Florida, she had started putting up their Halloween decorations, and in her last message to the singer, she wrote: “I can’t wait for you to get home and see the house.” Kate also spoke about the last photo she took of Liam — it’s a shot of the singer riding a horse during their Argentina vacation.

Kate reflected on her relationship with the One Direction star and the immense grief that’s come with losing him. “From the moment I met Liam, I genuinely believed we were soulmates; he was the most humble, charming, normal person you could ever hope to come across, and genuinely one of the best people I’ve ever met in my life,” she told The Sun. She added that she still thinks about Liam “every second of every day.”

Wishing Kate all the best as she continues to process this traumatic event and heal.