A mum's search for answers on The Project over her son's death has deeply divided viewers.

WARNING: This article includes graphic details.

A report aired on The Project featuring a mother confronting the man she believes is responsible for her son’s death has divided viewers.

While some found the segment – which dealt with extreme body modification, BDSM relationships, and potential abuse – to be “compelling”, others were disturbed by what they considered “inappropriate” or “exploitative”.

Tuesday’s episode followed Lynda Chapman, who has been looking for answers after her 28-year-old son Jack died in the US, where he lived, under unusual circumstances three weeks ago.

Jack had been in a master-submissive relationship with Dylan Hafertepen. He was just one of several “pups” and had taken his last name.

“It was devotion, it was like some sort of clan, family, like a cult. And to prove their devotion to him they had to change their bodies,” Lynda said.

Reporter Hamish Macdonald explained that Jack had transformed his body through bodybuilding in the years since he began a relationship with Dylan, but that he had also been using silicone to enlarge his testicles.

Jack died of what is called silicone injection syndrome, where illegally injected silicone liquid reaches the tiny blood vessels in the lungs and causes inflammation.

But although Jack had been seriously ill in an induced coma, his mother didn’t learn anything until the day after he died.

“I didn’t know he was in hospital, I didn’t know he was in an induced coma, I never got to hold him, I never got to hug him. I never got to say goodbye,” she said.

After telling Jack's story, The Project then showed Lynda's emotionally-charged confrontation with Dylan, who had come to Australia to deliver Jack's ashes.

"I believe with all my heart that you are wholly and solely responsible for my son's death. I wish you were dead," she told him.

Dylan insisted that "after my friend Pete's death" he "forbade" Jack from injecting silicone.

While some found the segment to be interesting and eye-opening, others were concerned it exploited Lynda's grief and likened it to something more suited to 60 Minutes or A Current Affair.

Compelling. Watched it through fingers.
Couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

— Jane Gazzo (@JaneGazzo) November 6, 2018

Incredibly moving and enlightening story on @theprojecttv My heart goes out to that courageous and brave mother. @Channel10AU #TheProjectTV

— M I C H A E L (@OzMichaelSays) November 6, 2018

This was clearly not a healthy relationship but it's no reason to demonise being gay OR a BDSM lifestyle. #TheProjectTV

— ????‍♀️ Vampilla Ice ???? (@autisticvamp) November 6, 2018

@hamishNews, this story was far below your usual standards & v. disappointing.People like Linda hope they’ll be treated sensitively by journalists if they choose to show their story during a time of huge trauma. There was little empathy shown in long shots of Linda’s grief.

— Nat Wall (@NatanneWall) November 6, 2018

What on earth The Project? Absolutely exploitative piece about Jack and Linda. #TheProjectTV

— Phe (@phephedee) November 6, 2018

Full sympathy for his mum, but this was a disgraceful piece of "journalism"

— mark stewart (@marstew68) November 6, 2018

Not for dinner time viewing! Leave it for 60 minutes...don’t doubt it needed to be heard but you should know your audience by now!

— Armanda Di Toro (@ArmandaDi) November 6, 2018

Seems like an @ACurrentAffair9 segment

— Dean Jonathan (@benschy91) November 6, 2018

Lynda concluded the story by saying she would be following up Jack's death with the police.

What do you think of The Project report? Tell us in the comments below.