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Chris Cornell’s Daughter Calls Out ‘TMZ’ Over ‘Disturbing’ Photos of Liam Payne
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Chris Cornell’s Daughter Calls Out ‘TMZ’ Over ‘Disturbing’ Photos of Liam Payne

Toni Cornell attends the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas. -Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Toni Cornell attends the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas. -Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Toni Cornell, the daughter of Chris Cornell, has spoken out against it TMZ after the outlet published photos of One Direction member Liam Payne following his death last week in Buenos Aires.

“In the wake of Liam Payne’s tragic passing, I feel compelled to speak out about the disgusting, disturbing photos released by TMZ, including graphic images of his hotel room and body,” Cornell wrote on Instagram Stories, per NME. “After seeing those photos, I can’t help but think about my own experience when explicit images of my father’s death were also published by TMZ. As a 12-year-old, I came across those photos while scrolling through my iPad, and it was indescribably traumatizing, and something I still carry with me to this day. TMZ seven years later, still hasn’t chosen to remove those photos from the internet, and that’s something I think needs to happen.”

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She continued, “Although the footage of Liam has since been deleted, it doesn’t mean anything. They should never have been hanged in the first place, and it breaks my heart to think that his seven-year-old son Bear might one day encounter them and suffer as I did.”

Chris Cornell died by suicide on May 18, 2017, at the age of 52. The singer was found dead in his hotel room at the MGM Grand Detroit after a Soundgarden show at the Fox Theater in Detroit earlier that evening.

Cheryl Cole, Payne’s former partner and the mother of his son, also denounced the media reporting 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 good friend and a father to our 7-year-old son,” she wrote on Instagram. “A son who now has to face the reality that he will never see his father again. What worries me most is that Bear will one day have access to the disgusting reporting and media exploitation we have seen over the past two days. It breaks my heart further that I can’t protect him from that in his future.

She added: ‘I implore you to consider the usefulness of some of these reports, other than to cause further harm to anyone left to pick up the pieces. Before leaving comments or making videos, ask yourself if you want your own child or family to read them. Please give Liam what little dignity he has left after his death so he can finally rest in peace.”

Payne, 31, died on October 16 after falling from the balcony of his hotel room in Argentina. His death has shocked the music world, with celebrities and One Direction fans in mourning. All of the remaining members of One Direction shared their own tribute to Payne the following day, with the band also sharing a joint statement.

“The memories we shared with him will be cherished 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.”

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