American celebrity news website TMZ has deleted its photo of Liam Payne‘s lifeless body after receiving furious backlash from the public. The showbiz media outlet shared harrowing images last night, showing parts of the late singer’s arm and waist.
In the photos, the star’s tattoos could be seen – which helped them to confirm the reports that he had died after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires. As reported in the Mirror, the publication also shared an image of a police tent erected over Liam’s body at the hotel in the trendy Palermo neighbourhood of Argentina’s capital.
They wrote: “TMZ obtained a photo showing Liam’s body on a wooden deck at the hotel with tables and chairs nearby. 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.” But after facing backlash on social media, TMZ removed the photos of Liam’s body.
The copy was also changed to read: “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.” Among those criticising TMZ for initially publishing the photos was Rylan Clark who took to X, formerly called Twitter, to write: “And TMZ f**king shame on you. Disgrace.”
Another user said: “TMZ posting part of a photo of Liam Payne’s dead body in an article announcing his death is beyond deplorable. I can’t tell if I’m losing my mind lately or if society has always been this overtly morally decrepit.”
One user said: “No matter how you felt about Liam Payne, posting pictures of his dead body is f**king mental.” Singer Alessia Cara wrote: “You’re gross @TMZ.” One commented: “I know we complain about TMZ a lot but they really surprise me every time at how insensitive they can be.” Someone else said: “The world has lost the value of respect.”
Fans have flocked to the Casa Sur Hotel after the news of Liam’s death broke. Fans have formed lines that spilled into the cordoned-off street outside the hotel where police stood sentinel.
Forensic police were seen leaving the hotel after the singer’s body was removed around three hours after the tragic fall.
Young women filming with their cellphones expressed shock and heartbreak as a makeshift memorial with rows of candles and bouquets quickly grew outside the hotel. “I didn’t think he was going to die so young,” 21-year-old Isabella Milesi told the Associated Press.
“I’ve always loved One Direction since I was little,” said 18-year-old Juana Relh, another fan outside Liam’s hotel. “To see that he died and that there will never be another reunion of the boys is unbelievable, it kills me.”
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