By Molly Goddard
8:39am PST, Feb 6, 2025
"I had a responsibility, we had a
responsibility. We had our dog and obviously I never, ever thought this event would occur," the model revealed in an interview with
The Sun about leaving Payne to his own devices.
"But, you know, we did have our own separate lives — this wasn't the first time we have traveled separately," Cassidy pointed out. "I just never thought this would have happened, that it would turn out the way it did. It still doesn't feel fully real for me that he's not here."
When asked about how she was told the shocking news, she revealed, "I feel blessed I didn't find out over social media because I just couldn't even imagine that. I was in our home with our dog, scrolling TikTok and one of Liam's friends called me."
"That moment, it's like, blank; it's blacked out in my head," she continued. "I didn't believe it at first. I thought it was just a rumor. Or something that somebody made up just to get views. Then, instantly, I just had a bad feeling in my gut. I was like, 'Why would somebody make this up? Is this true?'"
In the days leading up to the
heartbreaking accident, Cassidy was featured in many of the "Kiss You" vocalist's final social media posts.
"From the moment I met Liam, I genuinely believed we were soulmates. He was the most humble, charming, normal person you could ever hope to come across and genuinely one of the best people I've ever met in my life," she said about Payne — who was 31 at the time of his death.
The influencer emphasized how knowing Payne won't "be there with me to navigate through this life, that I'll have to deal with this without him by my side" is "really hard."
"You don't think about the worst possible thing that can happen," Cassidy noted.
The chart-topper's partner took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, February 5, to explain why she decided to
speak out for the first time about Payne.
"The past few months have been truly heartbreaking. I keep hoping I'll wake up and this was all just a bad dream. Most days, I feel numb and broken. The weight of it all feels
unbearable," she wrote.
"However, after receiving thousands of messages from Liam's fans seeking clarity during this devastating time, I wanted to share an insight into the relationship with the love of my life," Cassidy added. "This is my first ever interview while I navigate the pain of losing Liam, so please bear with me as I share my experience, which I hope will be received with compassion and understanding."
"Thank you so much for your kindness and support. It means more than I can put into words," the blonde beauty concluded.
Payne's official cause of death confirmed he died of polytrauma — which means multiple injuries that involve multiple organs or systems.
According to the
toxicology report, "alcohol, cocaine and prescription antidepressants" were found in the musician's system at the time of his passing.
