Shortly after the tragic death of former One Direction member Liam Payne, American entertainment site TMZ came under fire for sharing images of the musician's lifeless body.
The decision has sparked widespread criticism across social media and beyond, reports Nieuwsblad.
Payne, 31, died on Wednesday in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after falling from the third floor of a hotel. Reports indicate he fell from a height of approximately 13 to 14 meters.
Local authorities stated he sustained severe injuries, and emergency services could only confirm his death at the scene.
TMZ initially announced Payne's passing alongside a photo featuring a close-up of his arm tattoos, specifically highlighting a clock on his left forearm and a scorpion on his stomach.
The post read, "TMZ has obtained a photo showing Liam's body on the terrace of the hotel," but did not depict the entire body.
Despite removing the image shortly after publication, the damage had already been done, with fans expressing outrage on social media.
Comments ranged from "A tasteless decision" to "Gross and disgusting." One user condemned the lack of journalistic integrity, emphasizing the potential impact on Payne's child, who may one day see the photo.
Additionally, claims of video footage showing Payne's fall circulated online, but these were quickly debunked as being several years old and originating from Mexico City.
