Rihanna Photo Leaks Online

02/20/09 12:18pm

by Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

A shocking photo of Rihanna's injuries that was reportedly taken by police after an alleged altercation with her boyfriend, Chris Brown, has leaked onto the internet.

TMZ.com posted a photo on Thursday of Rihanna (real name Robyn Fenty), which shows extensive swelling to the singer's face, along with contusions on her forehead, bruised eyes, a bloody lip and cuts all over her face. It's not clear whether there are marks on her neck.

The Los Angeles Police Department did not confirm the woman in the photo was Rihanna, but said the photo "has the appearance of one taken during an official Domestic Violence investigation." The LAPD are investigating the photo's leak, and whoever leaked the photo to TMZ could find themselves in trouble.

"The Los Angeles Police Department takes seriously its duty to maintain the confidentiality of victims of domestic violence," the LAPD said in a statement. "A violation of this type is considered serious misconduct, with penalties up to and including termination."

Brown, Rihanna's longtime boyfriend, turned himself in to police on Feb. 8 and was arrested for suspicion of making criminal threats. The arrested stemmed from an alleged attack on a woman (who's widely believed to be Rihanna) in Brown's car. Police can't name the victim because a California law protects domestic abuse victims from being named.

TMZ.com reported that the attack had left Rihanna, who turns 21 today (Friday), with contusions on her forehead, a bloody nose, split lip and bite marks on her arms. Reports later emerged that Brown had choked her unconscious.

The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office is also investigating Brown for several felonies, including domestic violence, assault resulting in great bodily injury and attempted murder, according to E! Online. The website says the investigation for the latter charge stems from Brown screaming "I'm going to kill you" while his hands were allegedly around Rihanna's neck.

Brown issued an apology earlier this week, which said he was "sorry and saddened" by what had happened. A source close to Rihanna is said to have told the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper that Rihanna is "appalled" by Brown's apology.

"All of us, including Rihanna, don't understand how he can say he's sorry on the one hand, but still... does not admit any guilt," the source said. "He should have expressed more contrition."

Another source told the newspaper that Rihanna is "royally pissed off" by the statement, which the source dubbed a "cavalier and arrogant statement."

A member of Rihanna's family is also said to have told People.com that Brown's alleged attack on Rihanna came as a complete surprise. The relative said Brown "flew so far under everyone's radar that we just didn't think he was that [abusive] type."

"He was always looking after her needs, making sure she was happy," the source said.