TMZ has defended their decision to publish shocking images of Liam Payne's body following the singer's tragic death.
On Wednesday (October 16), it was reported that the 31-year-old singer died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital.
Shortly after the news broke, TMZ shared a news article that contained images of the One Direction singer's tattoos on his arm and abdomen, taken from a photo of his body lying on the patio where he'd fallen.
The article reportedly read: "TMZ obtained a photo showing Liam's body on a wooden deck at the hotel with tables and chairs nearby," cited by Daily Mail.
"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," they added.
Fans and famous faces were outraged by the outlet's lack of respect and took to social media to voice their disapproval.
"TMZ need to be shut down… NOT EVEN AN HOUR AFTER, they posted Liam Payne’s DEAD BODY ONLINE," one fan exclaimed on X.
Former X Factor contestant Rylan Clark criticized in a since-deleted tweet: "And TMZ f****** shame on you. Disgrace," while singer Alessia Cara added: "You're gross @TMZ."
Despite sparking uproar on social media, TMZ's executive producer Michael Babcock appeared on Fox 5 New York to explain the outlet's choice to share the pictures.
"There's a balance, and that's obviously a conversation that newsrooms across the world have - you want to be sensitive to the family and to the friends and also while working a news story," Babcock said.
"When the information was coming in, police had not yet confirmed that it was Liam, so what was done on the TMZ website, there was an image - did not show the full image, didn't show his face - but that showed his arm and his abdomen, where he has some very recognizable tattoos, so that's sort of used as a way to confirm, or to match up the tattoos at a point where police had not yet confirmed his identity. And then, once they did, obviously, that photo was removed," he explained.
"I mean, it's just a terribly horrific and sad story. It's something obviously that shouldn't have happened, and this guy had so much life left to live and you feel horrible for everybody," he added.
Fans were unmoved by TMZ's explanation, with one writing on YouTube: "Are they really still trying to justify putting pictures of a dead body on their website?"
"TMZ is disgraceful and disgusting and have no respect whatsoever and didn’t even bother to apologize for posting those horrendous pictures!!! Will never watch them again!!" another said.
"TMZ should be more respectful. Since when do they use photos to verify a death to the world? Let the police do their jobs, and allow family members to receive the news first. Liam might be in a big band and a celebrity, but first and foremost, he's someone's child. Condolences to his parents, sisters, and son. Sorry for your pain. May he rest in peace now," a third added.
The 'What Makes You Beautiful' hitmaker had been staying at the Hotel CasaSur when he suffered a fatal fall.
Alberto Crescenti, the head of Buenos Aires's SAME emergency medical service, told local TV that Payne had "very serious injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall" and there was "no possibility of resuscitation," cited by The Mirror.
According to reports from The Sun, the results of the late singer's preliminary autopsy disclosed that the father-of-one's severe injuries led to “internal and external hemorrhaging” from the fall.
Further tests are currently ongoing amid the investigation.
Payne's bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson have penned heartfelt statements.
