Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy felt like she was in a "hostage situation" in Argentina before returning to Miami alone, a friend has claimed.
The 25-year-old influencer had travelled to the country in South America with the late One Direction star - and the pair had attended Niall Horan's concert in Buenos Aires. Initially, she was only planning to stay in Argentina for four days but then extended the trip to more than two weeks.
A post-mortem examination report said former One Direction member Payne died of multiple traumas and "internal and external haemorrhage" after falling from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. Police officers and the emergency services found the music star dead at the scene last week and his body was transferred to the judicial morgue.
In a post to Instagram on Wednesday, a week following the singer's death, Cassidy said: "I don't even know where to begin. My heart is shattered in ways I can't put into words. 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. 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. None of this feels real, and I can’t wrap my head around this new reality of not having you here. I’m struggling to figure out how to live in a world without you by my side.
"Together, we got to be kids again, always finding joy in the smallest things. Liam, you had the kindest soul and the most fun-loving spirit. It feels like I've lost the best part of myself. I can't imagine a day without your laughter and love. You brought so much light into my life."
Cassidy said the pair had sat "manifesting our lives together" a few weeks ago and revealed she had a note from the singer, which she has kept "close". It read: "Me and Kate to marry within a year/engaged & together forever 444."
"Liam, I know we'll be together forever, but not in the way we had planned," she added. "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 everywhere I go."
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