Liam Payne's girlfriend issues first statement following his death

Liam Payne's girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, has issued her first statement following the news of the former One Direction star's death.

Payne and Cassidy had been visiting Argentina together before Payne, 31, was confirmed to have died after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel in Buenos Aires.

Police were called to the hotel on Wednesday (October 16) over reports of a 'guest drunk with drugs and alcohol', according to a transcript of the 911 call.

Kate Cassidy and Liam Payne were together in Argentina before his death (DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

When authorities arrived, Payne was confirmed to have fallen from his balcony and suffered 'injuries that were incompatible with life', Alberto Crescenti, the head of the state emergency medical system, said.

Cassidy left Payne in Argentina just two days prior to his death, explaining in a TikTok video at the time that she was 'so ready to leave' the country.

She added: “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.”

When Cassidy landed back in the US, she said she was 'so happy' to be home and documented herself ordering a bagel before going to bed.

Cassidy has now issued a statement in the wake of Payne's death.

"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."

The statement was shared on Instagram (Instagram/@kateecass)

Cassidy, who works as a social media influencer, began dating Payne in 2022.

She previously joked that she'd 'manifested' the relationship when she was just 10 years old, as she'd drawn a picture of Payne onto a popsicle stick.

In the video, Cassidy said: "And somehow 10 years later..." then opened the door to her childhood bedroom to reveal the real-life Payne on her bed.

She captioned the post: "The power of manifesting, I guess."

The couple made red carpet appearances together and documented their travels across the globe, enjoying trips to the likes of New York, Spain and Italy.

Fans of the couple have been sharing their condolences to Cassidy in the wake of Payne's death, with one writing: "Thanks for making Liam happy, so sorry for your loss."