Late rapper Goonew's corpse was on display 'standing' up in controversial nightclub funeral event

DC nightclub Bliss apologizes for the memorial, saying that they were "never made aware of what would transpire."

• A memorial for Goonew, a 24-year-old rapper who was fatally shot last month, was held on Sunday.
• Some fans were shocked that the rapper's body was propped up onstage at a DC nightclub.
• The venue, Bliss Nightclub, has apologized but Goonew's family has defended the controversial display.

The corpse of late rapper Goonew was displayed Sunday standing upright onstage at a Washington, DC nightclub where his funeral, organized by his family, was held. 

Goonew, born Markelle Morrow, was shot dead on March 18 by an unknown assailant in District Heights, Maryland, NBC Washington reported. He was 24.

His body was released to a funeral home after an autopsy was performed, and on Sunday, a memorial event was held by his family, friends, and fans at Bliss Nightclub in Washington DC.

However, some fans were shocked to see the body of the Maryland rapper in jeans, a hoodie, and a crown propped up on stage.

A rapper who performed at the event, Black Fortune, confirmed that it was Goonew's body inside the nightclub, writing in an Instagram Story, captured by hip-hop magazine, XXL: "No this ain't no wax figure my Brodie went out gansta."

Some fans have criticized the controversial funeral display, while Goonew's family has defended their decision

Videos of the went viral on Twitter with many criticizing the decision to display Goonew's body in a nightclub while people were singing, dancing, and drinking.

Renowned rapper 50 Cent responded to the video tweeting: "oh shit! i just realized what this is." Another fan wrote on Twitter that the display was "disturbing to say the least."

Goonew's family, who organized the event, defended the decision during an interview earlier this week on Fox 5 in Washington, DC.

"It's something I wanted to do," Patricia Parker Morrow, the late rapper's mother, said. "That's how Markelle wanted me to do it. That's how he wanted to go out. He wanted to celebrate his life turning it up, having a party. He didn't want people to be sad and crying. He always wanted people to be happy having fun."

Patrice Vincent, Goonew's sister added: "To clear the rumors in that place, the critics are [saying,] 'It's rude. It's very disrespectful. It's very insensitive.' If you do not like it, don't speak on it. Let us grieve how we want to grieve."

Bliss Nightclub has since apologized for the event in a statement shared on its Instagram and Twitter pages. A statement signed by management said it was not told about the body being put on display before the event on Sunday.

"Our deepest condolences to Goonew's family, friends and fans," the venue wrote. "Bliss was contacted by a local funeral home to rent out our venue for Goonew's home-going celebration. Bliss was never made aware of what would transpire."

—Bliss Club (@blissclubdc) April 4, 2022

The statement continued: "We sincerely apologize to all those who may be upset or offended. Please keep Goonew's family and friends in your prayers at this difficult time."

Fox 5 reported that the Prince George's County Police Department is still investigating the fatal shooting and is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to a suspect's arrest in the shooting.