Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy 'in shock and disbelief' as she leans on loved ones after singer's death

Liam Payne's girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, is reportedly still reeling from the shock of his passing. The 25-year-old social media influencer had been dating the former One Direction member since 2022 after they met in a Charleston, South Carolina bar where she was working as a waitress.

Their relationship quickly flourished, with Liam even expressing his desire to get engaged or married within the next year during a night spent sharing their aspirations. Kate has shared that she treasures a note from Liam outlining his future intentions for them as she faces the heartache of preparing for his funeral in the UK.

While details remain private, it is believed that Liam's funeral will be held in Wolverhampton, possibly at St. Peter's or St Paul's Church in Pendeford, near where he grew up, reports the Mirror.

A source close to Kate told Entertainment Tonight: "She's still in shock and disbelief. It's been a very difficult time for her. Kate is trying her best to process everything and surround herself with loved ones. She is trying to be involved in plans to honour and remember Liam's life and memory."

In an emotional post, Kate shared previously unseen photos of herself with Liam. She wrote: "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 and together forever 444."

Referring to him as the 'love of my life', she added: "Liam, I know we'll be together forever, but not in the way that we 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 wherever I go. Forever yours, Katelyn, 444."

Kate explained that '444' signifies the number of Angels. On her Instagram, she mentioned: "More often, you will see the number 444 when you are feeling down. In simple sense, the number 444 reminds you that your angels are always there to support you. When you see this number you will be reassured that you are protected and loved by the angels."

It was reported that Liam had been clean from drugs in his final months. However, he seems to have relapsed into drinking alcohol and using drugs shortly before his passing.

An autopsy revealed that alcohol, cocaine, and antidepressant medication were present in his system at the time of his death.

Before Kate's flight back to the United States, she reportedly confronted her partner with a decisive choice: give up drugs or lose her. The New York Post was informed by a purported ally that "His drug use was causing a lot of drama. So she gave him an ultimatum: her or the drugs. He chose the drugs, so she had no choice but to remove herself from the situation. She thought she was doing tough love."

While images from their holiday in Argentina suggested a dreamy escape, Kate's experience was likened by a friend to being trapped, according to the same source. They detailed Kate's predicament to the newspaper, saying, "They're in Argentina and it's like a hostage situation. So she tells him she wants to leave, this is after a week. He begs her to stay. She keeps extending her trip, a day, two days. And he just wants her to stay, stay, stay."

The friend elaborated on the difficult decisions Kate faced, noting, "I get what people are saying, that she should just stay with her rich, famous boyfriend, but she wanted to be home in her own bed with her dog. She wanted to come home. So eventually she says she's going home."

Describing the feeling of being caught in an impossible situation, the friend added, "She can't leave, or else who knows what will happen? And if she leaves, what will he do? But she has other responsibilities, other things that she's supposed to be doing. So she finally had to make a decision."