Liam Payne’s girlfriend has released a heartbreaking letter to her ‘best friend and love of her life’ after his death.

The former One Direction member died after falling from the third floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 16 October.

Influencer Kate Cassidy had travelled to the South American city with Payne as the pair attended his former bandmate Niall Horan’s concert before the 25-year-old travelled back to the US just days before his tragic death.

Having previously released a statement following his death, she penned a message to her late boyfriend on Instagram.

Cassidy wrote: “L, I don’t even know where to begin. My heart is shattered in ways I can’t put into words.

Kate had been in Argentina with Liam in the days before. (kateecass/Instagram)

“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.”

Adding photos of the pair throughout the relationship, she continued: ” 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.

“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 & together forever 444.’ Liam, I know we’ll be together forever, but not in the way we had 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 everywhere I go. Forever yours, Katelyn 444.”

A preliminary autopsy has since revealed the singer had died from multiple traumas and ‘internal and external haemorrhage’, with his father Geoff visiting the South American country and identifying his body.

Following the 31-year-old singer’s death, tributes flooded in as fans gathered to pay their respects around the world, former One Direction members spoke out and his friends and family have also released heartbreaking

Social media influencer Cassidy had travelled to the South American country with the singer in order to attend his former bandmate Niall Horan’s concert, with the 25-year-old travelling back to the US just days before his tragic death.

Local authorities in the capital city of Buenos Aires confirmed the former One Direction member had passed away on 16 October after falling three floors from a balcony at his hotel.

A preliminary post-mortem would later reveal that Payne had died from ‘internal and external haemorrhaging’ from injuries sustained from the fall.

(DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

Taking to Instagram, Cassidy has now written a lengthy tribute, stating that she had loved Payne ‘unconditionally’ and asked her followers for space to grieve in private.

“Thank you for all the kind words and love that has been sent my way. I have been 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.”

(Instagram/@kateecass)

Cassidy had begun dating Payne back in 2022, with the influencer previously joking that she had ‘manifested’ the relationship over a decade ago, when she had drawn the ‘Strip That Down’ singer on a lollystick at the age of 10.

She had last posted on social media two days before Payne’s death, explaining her decision to travel back to the states as she was missing home.

“Honestly, I love South America but I hate staying in one place for too long and we were supposed to be there for like five days and it turned into two weeks and I was just like I need to go home,” she said in a vlog shared on 14 October.

Cassidy’s statement follows tributes from Payne’s former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Horan, as well as a post from X Factor boss and former 1D manager Simon Cowell.

Payne’s family have also issued a statement in the wake of his death, which reads: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.

“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”