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Hours after Liam Payne’s death, TMZ posted—and then deleted—photos of his deceased body. The photos showed parts of the One Direction member’s arm and waist, which were covered in identifying tattoos, such as a clock and a scorpion.
“TMZ obtained a photo showing Liam’s body on a wooden deck at the hotel with tables and chairs nearby,” TMZ’s article read. “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.”
The site also published a photo of a police tent put up over Payne’s body to block it from photographers and the public. After backlash from fans and the music industry—including singer Alessia Cara who called TMZ “gross”—the site removed the photos from the post and edited the article to read: “TMZ has seen a photo showing Liam’s body.”
Payne died on Wednesday, October 16, after falling from a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Policía Federal Argentina confirmed. In a statement trsnslated from Spanish, Alberto Crescenti, the head of Buenos Aires’ public emergency medical services system SAME, told Argentine news channel TN that Payne fell into the hotel’s internal courtyard, where he died from his injuries.
SAME verified Payne’s death at around 5:11 p.m. local time, according to Crescenti, who also confirmed that Payne’s injuries from his fall were so severe that there “was no possibility of resuscitation.” Payne is survived by his son, Bear Grey, whom he shared with his ex-girlfriend and Girls Aloud member, Cheryl. Read on for photos of fans outside the hotel where Payne died and police and forensic workers arriving to she scene of his accident.
CasaSur Palermo Hotel
A man stands outside the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Payne fell from a balcony and died.
Payne’s fans wait outside the scene of his death
Dozens of Payne’s fans wait outside the CasaSur Palermo Hotel after the One Direction member’s death.
Forensic workers arrive
Forensic workers arrive to the CasaSur Palermo Hotel after Payne’s death. Police confirmed that an investigation into Payne’s passing is currently underway to determine the circumstances around his death and that an autopsy will be conducted.
More forensic workers arrive
More forensic workers arrive to the CasaSur Palermo Hotel as they investigate Payne’s death.
A police officer stands guard
A police officer stands guard outside of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel and a firefighter truck as forensic workers investigate inside.
Police and forensic workers talk
Police officers and forensic workers talk at the front door of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel where Payne died.
More Payne fans gather
More Payne fans gather outside the CasaSur Palermo Hotel after his death.
A forensic worker opens the door
A forensic worker opens the door to the CasaSur Palermo Hotel to talk to police officers and other officials.
Outside the CasaSur Palermo Hotel
More fans gather outside the CasaSur Palermo Hotel as police, firefighters, and forensic investigators work inside the hotel after Payne’s death.
Bomberos De La Ciudad
A red Bomberos De La Ciudad truck parks outside the CasaSur Palermo Hotel as police officers talk.
Police officers stand guard
A row of police officers dressed in black uniforms stand guard outside of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel after Payne’s death.
Police car
A police car is parked outside of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel as more police and officials crowd the hotel after Payne’s death.
Police take security
A police officer in a blue vest stands guard outside of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel.
More officials converse outside
A group of forensic workers and police officers stand outside the CasaSur Palermo Hotel.
Police rope off the scene of the death
Police officers in black vests rope off the scene of Payne’s death with caution tape.
In front of the door
A forensic worker and police officer stand in front of the door into the CasaSur Palermo Hotel where officials were seen coming in and out in their investigation into Payne’s death.
The crowd grows
As the night went on, the crowd outside the CasaSur Palermo Hotel grew as fans awaited information around Payne’s death.
Memorial outside of the hotel
A fan of British singer Liam Payne lit a candle next to the hotel where he died in Buenos Aires.
More fans light candles for Liam Payne
More fans lit candles next to CasaSur.
Letters left by fans
Fans left candles and letters at CasaSur.
Fans paying tribute
Fans console each other at CasaSur Hotel.
Fans laying flowers
Fans place flowers outside of Liam Payne’s hotel.
Fans Mourn
Fans console each other outside CasaSur.