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In a heartfelt response to the media's handling of Liam Payne's recent death, Toni Cornell, daughter of the late Chris Cornell, has expressed her dismay over the publication of distressing images related to Payne's tragic passing. Payne, known for his musical career, died tragically at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. According to the Argentinian prosecutor's office, his demise resulted from multiple traumas and both internal and external bleeding.

Toni Cornell took to Instagram Stories to condemn TMZ for their decision to release graphic photos of Payne's hotel room and body. She recalled her own traumatic experience when she encountered similar distressing images of her father’s death online seven years ago, published by the same outlet.

In her post, she expressed her shock and sorrow, sharing that stumbling upon such graphic images as a 12-year-old was deeply traumatic and continues to affect her. She urged TMZ to remove the photos of her father, Chris Cornell, who died by suicide on May 18, 2017, at the age of 52, emphasizing that the troubling images are still accessible online.

Toni also voiced her concerns for Payne’s young son, Bear, who is just seven years old. She feared that Bear might one day come across the distressing photos, potentially suffering the same trauma she experienced. Despite TMZ having removed the images of Payne, she argued that they should never have been published in the first place.

TMZ's executive producer, Michael Babcock, defended the decision on Fox 5 New York, stating that the images were intended to help confirm Payne's identity before official confirmation from the police. While acknowledging the tragedy of the situation, Babcock maintained that the photos were a necessary part of covering the news story.

Cheryl, Payne’s former partner and mother of Bear, also implored the media to respect Payne's dignity and allow him to rest in peace. She highlighted the human aspect of the loss, noting that beyond his public persona, Payne was a beloved son, brother, uncle, friend, and father.

Both Toni Cornell and Cheryl stressed the emotional toll such media coverage can have on loved ones, particularly young Bear, who will have to come to terms with his father’s death amidst widespread and often intrusive media reporting. As they navigate their grief, they call for greater sensitivity and respect from the media.