Cheryl Cole Slams ‘Exploitation’ of Liam Payne’s Death: ‘We Have Lost a Human Being’

Cheryl Cole, musician and ex-partner to Liam Payne, is speaking out about wanting to protect their 7-year-old son Bear from the “media exploitation” she’s seen following the 31-year-old singer’s death.

Two days after the former One Direction star died by falling from the third story of his hotel in Buenos Aires, Cole posted a message to Instagram Friday (Oct. 18) to “kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being.”

“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,” she wrote, sharing a black-and-white photo of Payne cuddling with a newborn Bear in bed. “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,” the “Fight for This Love” singer continued. “It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.”

Cole and Payne dated for about two years before separating in 2018. In March 2017, they welcomed Bear.

In addition to countless messages of grief that have flooded social media from Payne’s loved ones, industry peers and fans alike over the past two days, his death has also inspired much discourse about his character. Also adding to the spectacle is the fact that TMZ, one of the first outlets to report that Payne had died, shared photos showing parts of his dead body. The pictures have since been removed, but not before multiple people online — including Alessia Cara — slammed the publication for including them in the first place.

“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 continued 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,” Cole concluded her message. “Thank you.”

Cole’s message comes within an hour of Payne’s girlfriend, influencer Kate Cassidy, paying tribute to the late singer. “I have been at a complete loss,” she wrote on Instagram Stories Friday. “Nothing about the past few days have felt real.”

“Liam, my angel. You are everything,” Cassidy continued. “I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life.”

Payne died around 5:07 p.m. Wednesday and appeared to have been alone when he fell from his hotel room balcony, suffering multiple fatal traumas and hemorrhages, according to a preliminary autopsy report. Investigators also believe that he was potentially under the influence of substances when he died, but are still waiting for further toxicology reports.

Payne’s former One Direction bandmates — Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson — and Simon Cowell have since shared tributes to the performer, as have Ed Sheeran, Cher Lloyd, Camila Cabello and more musicians. “We are heartbroken,” reads a statement from Payne’s family. “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”

See Cole’s post here.