Here’s the sickening first photo of a bruised and battered Rihanna – reportedly taken right after R&B boyfriend Chris Brown allegedly slapped her around during an argument on the eve of the Grammys.
The heartbreaking photo, posted on TMZ.com last night, shows the singer, who turns 21 today, with numerous cuts and bruises, and sporting a fat lip and swollen nose.
Her eyes are closed, and though the area around her eyes appears dark, there is no visible swelling.
The photo also shows only part of Rihanna’s neck, again with no visible marks.
Brown reportedly tried to choke her in the Feb. 8 attack.
It’s unclear exactly when the photo was taken, or who took it.
An LAPD spokesman said cops don’t release photographs of victims in domestic-violence cases because the snaps are considered confidential.
The department did acknowledge, however, the photo “has the appearance” of one taken during a domestic violence investigation, and launched an investigation into its release – calling that a fireable offense.
Authorities in Los Angeles are investigating whether Brown should be charged with assault in the case.
A source told E! News that Brown could even face attempted murder charges.
Brown, 19, was arrested and charged with making criminal threats, and released on $50,000 bail. Rihanna has fingered him as the man who attacked her, sources have said.
The couple was driving through Hollywood in a rented Lamborghini after leaving a pre-Grammy party, cops have said.
They were both scheduled to perform at the Grammys, but the performance was canceled. Brown later issued an apology – though it never mentioned Rihanna by name, or explained what he was apologizing for.
Rihanna is reportedly resting up and mending her wounds in her native Barbados.
A relative there told People magazine yesterday they never expected Brown to turn violent, saying he “flew so far under everyone’s radar that we just didn’t think he was that type.”