Council chiefs who run the mortuary where Emiliano Sala's body was kept have expressed their shock after pictures of the dead Cardiff City footballer appeared online.
Police have launched an investigation into who took the images and how they came to be released into the public domain.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, who run the Holly Tree Lodge mortuary in Bournemouth, told WalesOnline: “We are revolted by this heartless act and cannot understand why anyone would do such a vile and hurtful thing. We are of course supporting the Police in their investigation in any way that we can, and will continue to provide any assistance required.
"As the Police investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.”
The Sunday Mirror reported one theory being looked at by police is that the mortuary was broken into during the days Sala's body was there prior to a post-mortem examination.
The Sala tragedy happened on January 21 after the plane he was travelling in crashed into the English Channel. Pilot David Ibbotson remains unaccounted for.
Sala's cause of death was revealed at an inquest opening in February, days after his body was recovered from the water on February 6 and handed into the care of Dorset Coroner.
Dorset Police 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 somebody did this.
“We are investigating this incident and working with a number of agencies to establish how the picture was taken and who is responsible.”
A Cardiff City spokesperson said: “Cardiff City FC expresses its disgust and outrage at the individual/individuals who thoughtlessly took and shared the image."
An interim Air Accidents Investigation Branch report published in February revealed the final moments of the flight and released new images of the wreckage taken by investigators.
Cardiff City last week announced changes to player travel arrangements following the tragedy, while the investigation into the crash continues.
The club remain locked in a dispute with French club Nantes over the £15m transfer fee for Sala, which is yet to be paid. You can read the full details of that here.
Shocked Cardiff City hit out at pilot and flight organisers after Emiliano Sala revelation
