Cheryl Cole issues statement on Liam Payne’s ‘earth-shattering’ death

Cheryl Cole, the ex-girlfriend of Liam Payne and the mother of his son, has issued a statement condemning the media coverage of the late singer’s death.

On October 16, Liam Payne died following an incident at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cole shared a carousel to Instagram on October 18 that begins with a black-and-white photo of the One Direction star and their son Bear, an infant at the time.

“As I try to navigate this earth-shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,” she wrote. “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. 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,” Cole continued. “It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.”

Cole is referencing the gruesomely detailed reports of Payne’s passing, the most harrowing of which came from TMZ — the outlet’s coverage of the incident included graphic photos that purportedly confirmed the singer’s death. The tabloid publication has drawn immense backlash from both fans of Payne, fellow celebrities and those who knew him, and the general public; at the time of writing, TMZ has not yet issued a public apology, but removed the photos from their initial story.

“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,” Cole wrote in her post. “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.