Images of Prichard Colón’s Body Shared on Social Media After Viewing

Images of Prichard Colón’s body have been shared on social media following the former boxer’s public viewing in Florida.

Friends, supporters and members of the public gathered Tuesday to say goodbye to Colón after his family opened the viewing to those wishing to pay their respects.

There was no specific instruction in the publicly released arrangements stating that photographs could not be taken or shared.

Some attendees subsequently posted images from inside the viewing on social media, including photographs showing Colón’s body in an open casket.

World Boxing News chose not to publish the uncensored images.

Prichard Colón Images Shared After Public Viewing

The viewing took place at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions in Winter Park, Florida, from 4:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with Colón’s funeral service and burial following on Wednesday.

Former world title challenger Willie Monroe Jr. was among those who attended to pay his respects and later shared an emotional message for Colón and his family.

“Today I was able to pay my respects and give mi Hermano @prichardcolon his flowers one more time,” Monroe wrote. “These times are a tough reality.”

Monroe said he had been “lost for words” since Colón’s death before adding in Spanish: “Te amamos y te echamos de menos, hermano” — “We love you and miss you, brother.”

Among those who posted afterward was an amateur boxer who knew Colón and shared photographs that included images of his body.

The post was accompanied by a message of love and remembrance, with nothing to suggest the photographs were shared with disrespectful intentions.

Another social media user took the opposite view, arguing that photographs taken at viewings should be kept away from social media.

Where Should the Line Be Drawn?

Attitudes toward photographing the deceased differ considerably between families and cultures.

For some, the images form part of mourning and remembrance. For others, they are deeply private.

Social media creates another issue entirely.

Photographs taken inside a public viewing can immediately be placed in front of thousands of people who never chose to see them.

There is no basis at this stage to claim those who posted the Colón photographs deliberately went against his family’s wishes. WBN is unaware of any request from the family prohibiting photography or asking for the images to be removed.

Ultimately, how Colón’s family feels about the images matters more than outside opinion.

WBN Will Not Publish Colón’s Body

WBN had known Prichard since before his professional debut in 2013, when the then-20-year-old contacted the website seeking coverage of his career.

For those who knew or followed him but were not present at the viewing, seeing Colón lying in his casket may not be how they want to remember him.

If an image from the viewing is used by WBN for context, Colón’s body will be completely obscured.

The viewing was open to the public.

Whether that should extend to social media is another matter.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.

Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.