TMZ Posts Shocking Rihanna Photo

TMZ has released the police photos of a battered Rihanna. (AP Images)"]
If you haven't checked out the Rihanna photo on TMZ yet, well - it's pretty shocking.

The LAPD is currently conducting an internal investigation on who released the photo to TMZ. They released a statement which said: "At about 7 p.m. on February 19, 2009, the Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations Section began receiving numerous inquiries about the release of a photograph associated with a
domestic violence incident that occurred on February 8, 2009, involving entertainer Chris Brown. The photograph appeared on an entertainment website. The photograph has the appearance of one taken during an official Domestic Violence investigation. The Los Angeles Police Department takes seriously its duty to maintain the confidentiality of victims of domestic violence. The Department launched an immediate internal investigation and subsequently filed a personnel complaint."

Brown was arrested on a felony criminal threat charge on 8th February and has since released a statement saying that he is "sorry and saddened" by the incident. There are also reports circulating that Rihanna is hoping this will all "blow over" so that she and Brown can resume their relationship. The validity of these claims (see: Star) are dubious, at best.