TMZ boss defends publishing Liam Payne body photo after backlash over 'disgraceful' decision

A boss at TMZ has defended the decision of the news outlet to publish pictures of Liam Payne's body online after his death at a hotel in Argentina.

The celebrity news outlet came under fire and was labelled a 'disgrace' after the photos were shared shortly after the news broke of the One Direction star's death on Wednesday evening. The pictures showed the scene of the incident at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, in which a parts of Liam’s lifeless body were shown on a wooden deck.

Fans and Liam's showbiz colleagues were left furious, with TMZ receiving widespread backlash on social media. TV presenter Ryan Clark wrote on X: "And TMZ f**king shame on you. Disgrace."

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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."

Meanwhile singer Alessia Cara wrote: "you’re gross @TMZ". Another fan commented: "I know we complain about TMZ a lot but they really surprise me every time at how insensitive they can be.”

But despite the criticism, TMZ executive producer Michael Babcock defended the decision to use the images while appearing on Fox 5 New York on Thursday, the Mirror reports. He said: "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.

"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 recognisable 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. 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."

Fans however were unmoved by the justification, with one writing in the YouTube comments of the video clip: "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 apologise for posting those horrendous pictures!!! Will never watch them again!!" another said.

"[It's] not TMZ's job to 'identify' the body," a third said. "That is the job of the police/coroner to confirm. Revolting way to justify.”

Liam, who rose to fame with One Direction on The X Factor, died after falling from a third floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires on Wednesday. In an official statement released to The Associated Press, police authorities revealed that the 31-year-old 'had jumped from the balcony of his room', seemingly dispelling any suggestions of an accidental fall or foul play.

Authorities were first called to the scene having been alerted to an 'aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol'. Liam died of multiple traumas and 'internal and external haemorrhage', a post-mortem examination report said.

His family said they were 'heartbroken' following his death. In a statement, they added: "Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.

"We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."

A joint statement from his One Direction bandmates said they were 'completely devastated' and will miss the singer 'terribly'. The band said: "In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.

"But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.

"For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam."

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