Shock Emiliano Sala morgue photos posted online as police hunt ghoul who took them

Emiliano Sala morgue photos posted online as police hunt ghoul who took them [Courtesy]

The horrifying stunt was revealed just two days after the Argentinian star’s grieving father Horacio, 58, had a heart attack and died.

A detective said last night: “We’re disgusted somebody did this.

“It is a very difficult time for Mr Sala’s family and they should not have to endure additional pain this shameful act will undoubtedly cause.”

Striker Sala, 28, was being flown by private plane from Nantes in France to join his new Premier League club Cardiff City on January 21 when it disappeared over the Channel in poor visibility.

His body was recovered 16 days later on February 6 after search teams finally found wreckage of the Piper PA-46 Malibu light aircraft north of Guernsey.

The player’s remains were taken to the Holly Tree Lodge mortuary in Bournemouth, Dorset, before a post-mortem examination took place.

Police believe the ghoul may have broken in to the morgue.

An inquest on February 11 was told that the footballer had died from injuries to his head and upper body.

The body of pilot David Ibbotson, 59 – a father of four – is still missing and air accident experts continue to probe how the crash happened.

Yesterday 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 source added: “One theory is that someone broke into the mortuary and took these pictures.

“The image went up on Twitter but was very quickly taken down.”

The revelation is another terrible blow to Sala’s mum Mercedes, sister Romina and brother Dario.

On Friday his father Horacio suffered a fatal heart attack at the family home in Progreso, Santa Fe.

It also follows the arrest of Burnley FC supporter Gary Kay, 36, who is accused of posting sick tweets about Sala’s death.

The estate agent later “apologised unreservedly” over the jibes.

The club banned him from their Turf Moor ground “pending the conclusion of a police investigation”.