Vanessa Bryant has won nearly $29 million after grim photos of the helicopter crash site where her husband Kobe and their daughter Gianna died were unlawfully shared.
In September 2020, just eight months after the tragedy, the 40-year-old businesswoman and philanthropist took out a lawsuit against Los Angeles County over accusations of invasion of privacy and negligence.
The basketball star died alongside his 13-year-old daughter and seven others back in January 2020 after the helicopter they were travelling to a tournament in crashed in the Calabasas hills of west LA.
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Vanessa, alongside Kobe and Gianna's other relatives, suffered emotional distress as a result of the emergency services allegedly taking photos of the crash site, which later circulated online.
When the testimony unfolded, it came to light that the police and firefighters allegedly passed the grim photos around to co-workers, family, friends and even strangers.
While speaking in court last year, Vanessa, who has three other daughters with Kobe, said: "I never had a panic attack before this. I don't ever want to see my babies in that way."
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A settlement in the lawsuit was reached this week, with LA County ordered to pay Vanessa $28.85 million over the allegations.
Luis Li, attorney for Vanessa, said: "Today marks the successful culmination of Mrs. Bryant's courageous battle to hold accountable those who engaged in this grotesque conduct.
"She fought for her husband, her daughter, and all those in the community whose deceased family were treated with similar disrespect."
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Li confirmed that the settlement amount includes the $16 million in damages she was awarded last summer, which Vanessa pledged to donate to the foundation named after her husband and daughter as a way ‘to shine a light on Kobe and Gigi’s legacy’.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, the foundation started in 2016 as the Mamba Sports Foundation and was named after Kobe’s nickname Black Mamba, but it was later changed to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation to honour Kobe and Gianna.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Topics: US News, Kobe Bryant, Vanessa Bryant, News
Daisy Phillipson