A police investigation has been launched after a photo showing the body of footballer Emiliano Sala was posted on Twitter.
The picture is reported to have been taken at Bournemouth public mortuary, where his remains were kept after being recovered from a plane crash in the English Channel in January.
Sala’s body was recovered on February 6 after a private search but the pilot, David Ibbotson, 59, of Crowle, Lincolnshire, is still missing.
The image appeared online several weeks ago but has since been taken down.
A Dorset Police spokesman said: “We are aware that a picture reported to be of Mr Sala’s body has been shared on social media channels and are disgusted that somebody did this.”
He added: “It is clearly a very difficult time for Mr Sala’s family and they should not have to endure additional pain that this shameful act will undoubtedly cause.
“We are investigating this incident and are working together with a number of agencies to establish how the picture was taken and who is responsible.”
The Sala family was dealt another blow this week when it was revealed Sala’s father, Horacio Sala, died at his home in Progreso in Argentina’s Santa Fe province last week.
Progreso mayor Julio Muller told radio station La Red of Sala’s death, saying: “The partner of Horacio called me at five in the morning. The doctors were already there. When he left his home, he had already died.
“He could never get over Emi’s death.”
Muller cited “a heart problem” for the father’s death.