The Los Angeles Police Department is still investigating the leak into who provided celebrity gossip site TMZ with a chilling photo of a battered Rihanna that was taken shortly after she was allegedly assaulted by Chris Brown on February 8.
“They said they were looking into it vigorously,” LAPD spokesman Lt. John Romero said, referring to a statement made by a superior officer. “We are not talking about the protocols because it will relate to this investigation.”
A law-enforcement source tells E! News that the police believe they have identified the computer they believe to be the one from which the photo originated.
They have not figured out who transferred the image.
For its part, TMZ has said the photo was obtained legally. The site also says it believed it was not an LAPD photo, and are still not convinced that it is.
Per protocol, the LAPD has not formally identified Rihanna as the victim of what transpired between her and Brown on the morning of the Grammy Awards.
In announcing the investigation into the leak, authorities would only say that the photo was taken “during an official domestic violence investigation.”
Meanwhile, the investigation into Chris Brown continues as well.
Police sources say prosecutors are looking for evidence to build the toughest possible felony case against the R&B star, who was booked on suspicion of making criminal threats but may ultimately face a variety of felony charges.