Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy breaks cover after police question Argentina escorts

Liam Payne's girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, flew home from Argentina just two days before the One Direction star tragically died after falling from the third floor of a hotel

Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy has been seen for the first time since the One Direction star tragically died.

Kate left Argentina just two days before the singer fell to his death from the third floor of a hotel in heartbreaking news which sent shockwaves around the world.

Actress Kate, 25, who reportedly felt "betrayed" and "hurt" after police questioned two escorts, who allege they partied with the pop star before his death, cut a sombre figure on the weekend when she was seen in Florida.

Leaving pet store, Jake's Pet Supplies, flanked by her friends, she appeared makeup-free, wearing a pair of grey tracksuit bottoms, white oversized This Ain't Texas t.shirt and Christian Dior sandals. Kate was in the store picking up food for the adorable dog she shared with Liam. She dropped off the pooch after visiting the pet store, which is near the couple's rented mansion in Wellington.

On Friday, Kate, who had been in a relationship with Liam for two years, took to Instagram paying tribute to the dad-of-one, as his legion of loyal fans expressed their heartfelt condolences. Admitting she was at "a complete loss" following the news, 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 One Direction star, Niall Horan, perform in the country and, while out there, extended their stay.

After two weeks away, Kate 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’."

However, just hours before he fell from his Buenos Aires Hotel balcony, Liam contacted two women through an Argentine website, which has raised questions about the personal struggles he was facing in the days leading up to his death. Gemidos is well-known in Argentina, a portal where hundreds of women across the country offer companionship with photos and detailed descriptions.

The claims have reportedly left Kate feeling "betrayed" and "hurt" after police questioned the two escorts, who allege they partied with the singer before his death.

Upon arrival, both women were required to submit their identification at the front desk. Though they had never met each other before, Lucile and Aldana were escorted up to Liam’s 310 room. When the former One Direction star opened the door, he appeared calm, greeting them with a smile, reports the Mirror.

Inside the room, the atmosphere was reportedly relaxed. The singer offered the women alcohol - champagne for them and a bottle of scotch for himself. According to their testimonies to police, no drugs were consumed. The room was scattered with half-drunk glasses, evidence of the brief companionship the three shared.

In their statements, both women denied any involvement in Liam’s death, stating that they had spent a short amount of time with him, drank alcohol, and left when an issue of payment arose. Neither woman admitted to having had sex with him, skirting around the subject during questioning. Despite their evasiveness, Prosecutor Roma believes their accounts and does not consider them suspects.

Following the reports, a purported pal of Kate has disclosed her supposed response to The New York Post, saying: "She just has heard about the prostitutes. She knew nothing about that. She just said she has to wrap her mind around it."

The source added: "That's obviously a huge betrayal to her, and that hurts a lot. She hasn't stopped crying. She's devastated. She's got a good support system around her, but this just went from bad to worse. She's not OK." They went on: "She has a few people around her, including family members. She's not alone. She's responsive to me and our other friends. We'll all help her however we can."

Kate and Liam had been together for two years and recently moved into a new home in Florida. They were first linked in October 2022 before making their red carpet debut two months later. Their final Instagram post together was at a wedding in Paris just weeks before Liam's death.

The star's funeral is expected to take place next month as an update has been given on an autopsy. It has now emerged that Liam's body is likely to remain in Argentina between 10 and 15 days, until the results of toxicological tests are known. Once the investigation ends, the singer's remains will be handed over to his relatives and repatriated to England, according to local media reports.

In heartbreaking scenes, Liam's dad, Geoff, was seen reading the many messages of condolences for his son next to a candlelit shrine outside the Casa Sur hotel in Argentina. The devastated dad had travelled to the country in South America for the recognition of the body and to arrange its repatriation.

* If you, or someone you know, have been affected by any issues raised in this article, support and information is available from the Samaritans by calling 116 123.

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