WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: The TMZ website ignited fury after publishing photographs of the former One Direction star’s dead body in Argentina – but have since removed them.
TMZ has retracted explicit images following an uproar after they published photographs of Liam Payne’s deceased body. The former One Direction member, who was 31, tragically passed away in Argentina due to a fall from the third floor of his hotel, where he was staying with his girlfriend.
The American gossip giant TMZ faced a storm of criticism on Twitter for displaying images of the Wolverhampton-born singer’s remains.
Their original post read: “TMZ obtained a photo showing Liam’s body on a wooden deck at the hotel with tables and chairs nearby.”
Adding further details, they said, “We’re not showing the whole body, but you can clearly see his tattoo – a clock on his left forearm, and a scorpion on his abdomen.”
However, the backlash from social media users prompted TMZ to take down the distressing photos of Liam.
They altered their article to state: “TMZ has seen a photo showing Liam’s body on the deck at the hotel with tables and chairs nearby. You can clearly see his tattoos – a clock on his left forearm, and a scorpion on his abdomen – which helped us confirm early reports from witnesses”, reports Birmingham Live.
TMZ have removed the photos after suffering backlash (Image: Birmingham Live)
Liam has died at the age of 31 (Image: Getty)
The decision follows intense criticism from devastated fans. BBC presenter and celebrity Rylan Clark expressed his outrage by tweeting: “TMZ f***ing shame on you. Disgrace,” Canadian songstress Alessia Cara also condemned the site, saying, “You’re gross @TMZ.”
As of now, TMZ and its founder Harvey Levin have yet to issue a response to the controversy.
TMZ previously ignited a storm of controversy with its coverage of the tragic 2020 helicopter crash that claimed the lives of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his 13 year old daughter Gianna, and seven others.
The outlet was the first to break the harrowing news, publishing the story less than two hours following the calamitous event.
The swift reportage by TMZ came under fire from law enforcement officials who condemned the decision to publicize the crash details prior to official confirmation of victims’ identities and notification of their families by the coroner’s office.
Levin later contended that TMZ had secured the green light from “Kobe’s people” before running the story.
The 31-year-old One Direction star died on Wednesday (16.10.24) after plunging from the balcony of his room on the third floor of the CasaSur Palmero hotel in Buenos Aires.
Alberto Crescenti, the head of the state emergency medical system, confirmed the pop star fell into an internal courtyard at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel.
