TMZ Reports on Liam Payne Death Spurs Controversy
The TMZ article included details from the star's ex-girlfriends allegations and images of his dead body, leading to speculation and backlash online.
On Oct. 16 Liam Payne, former One Direction band member, was confirmed dead in Buenos Aires, Argentina after falling from his hotel balcony. Autopsy reports confirm he had drugs in his system at the time of his fall. Photos from his room that day show drug paraphernalia, alcohol, and a smashed television. Local authorities suggest he was alone and potentially fell unconscious at the time of his accident.
Hotel management called authorities to complain about Payne’s aggressive and destructive behavior. They mentioned his balcony and expressed concern he may harm himself. After police arrived the singer was declared dead on the scene.
On the same day, TMZ reported on Payne’s death and included details about what had been going on in his life recently. They noted that his ex-fiance, Maya Henry, recently came out with allegations against him.
They wrote, “Earlier this week, there were reports about Liam's ex-fiancée Maya Henry alleging he'd left her after asking her to get an abortion. Her attorneys had been trying to send him a cease-and-desist letter to stop contacting her.”
TMZ also included details about his experience with substance abuse and suicidal thoughts. They wrote, “Liam revealed in June 2021 that he struggled with alcohol and prescription drug addictions at one point when One Direction was on tour, and things got so bad he had "severe" suicidal thoughts.”
TMZ linked the circumstances of Payne’s death to these two details. This may have contributed to rampant online speculation about the cause of the fall. At the time the local authorities had not released any information about whether the fall was considered suicide, homicide, accidental or otherwise. Despite this, many online claim he committed suicide because of Henry’s recent comments. On X, one user wrote, “no way liam payne killed himself after maya henry exposed him … LMFAOO the trash does take itself out … point blank period.”
Another fan included a clip of Henry and said, “fck liam payne. he k!lled himself after his victim came out about him abusing her. liams friends told her if something happens to him the whole world will blame her. sending maya so much healing.”
Some assumed his drug use led to his death before any drug report results were released. One user included a clip of Payne singing and dancing and said, “LIAM PAYNES DEATH IMO WAS SUICIDE AFTER COCAINE COMEDOWN, dude looks high as a kite.”
Speculation from the internet caused distress to those close to Payne. Cheryl Cole, Payne’s ex-girlfriend and the mother to his only Son, Bear, recently spoke out on Instagram. Along with a photo of Payne and their son, she said, “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.”
Besides the speculative comments TMZ spurred, they also came under fire for releasing cropped images of the star’s dead body. They zoomed in on pictures of his arms to highlight his tattoos to confirm it was Payne. They took down the photos shortly after their release due to public backlash.
One user on X said, “tmz deadass posted about liam payne’s death and a picture of his deceased body too nah they are going to HELL.”
Another user called out the platform out saying, ”TMZ posting Liam Payne’s dead body and saying they didn’t show the WHOLE thing because THAT would be wrong ??!? Class can’t be bought.”
Toni Cornell, daughter of the late musician Chris Cornell, spoke out against these photos online. After her father passed she unfortunately came across images released of his body by TMZ. She says, “As a 12-year-old, I stumbled upon those pictures while scrolling through my iPad, and it was indescribably traumatising, and something I still carry with me to this day.”
These are just two of many callouts online against TMZ’s reporting. Although the outlet took the images off their site, there are numerous reposts on social media. The article now mentions they have “seen” an image of the body which helped them confirm reports. Overall, TMZ’s article contributed to the rampant speculation of the cause of Payne’s death and the trauma Payne’s family and friends have experienced since Oct. 16.
Cole writes, “Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last.”