Toni Cornell, the daughter of Chris Cornell, has spoken out against TMZ after the outlet published photos of One Direction member Liam Payne after his death in Buenos Aires last week.
“In the wake of Liam Payne’s tragic passing, I feel compelled to speak out about the disgusting, distressing photos released by TMZ including graphic images of his hotel room and body,” Cornell wrote on Instagram Stories, per NME. “Having seen those photos, I can’t help but reflect on my own experience when graphic images of my father’s death were also published by TMZ. As a 12-year-old, I stumbled upon those pictures while scrolling through my iPad, and it was indescribably traumatizing, and something I still carry with me to this day. TMZ still has not chosen to have the decency, seven years later, to remove those photos from the internet, and it is something I believe should be done.”
She continued, “While the images of Liam have since been taken down, it means nothing. They should never have been put up in the first place, and it breaks my heart to think that his 7-year-old son, Bear, might one day come across them and suffer exactly as I did.”
Chris Cornell died by suicide on May 18, 2017 at age 52. The singer was found dead in his hotel room at the MGM Grand Detroit following a Soundgarden show at Detroit’s Fox Theatre earlier that night.
Cheryl Cole, Payne’s former partner and the mother of his son, also slammed the media coverage of Payne’s death, calling it “abhorrent.”
“Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son,” she wrote on Instagram. “A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again. What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.”
She added, “I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces. Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them. Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last.”
Payne, 31, died last Wednesday evening after falling from his hotel room balcony in Argentina. His death has shocked the music world, with celebrities and One Direction fans in mourning. All of the surviving members of One Direction shared their own tributes to Payne on Thursday, with the band sharing a joint statement as well.
“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever,” the band said. “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.”
