- The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said on Friday that it had launched an investigation into the allegations.
- Vanessa Bryant's lawyer, Gary Robb, said sharing photos of the scene of the crash is "an unspeakable violation of human decency, respect, and of the privacy rights of the victims and their families."
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .
ADVERTISEMENT
Vanessa Bryant says she's 'devastated' over reports that deputies shared graphic photos of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe and their daughter
Vanessa Bryant said she's "absolutely devastated" over allegations that sheriff's deputies in Los Angeles had shared photos of the helicopter crash that killed her husband, Kobe Bryant, their daughter Gianna, and seven other people in January.
Vanessa Laine Bryant speaks during a public memorial for her late husband, NBA great Kobe Bryant, her daughter Gianna and seven others killed in a helicopter crash on January 26, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
ADVERTISEMENT
Vanessa Bryant said she's "absolutely devastated" over reports that sheriff's deputies in Los Angeles shared graphic photos of the helicopter crash that killed her husband, Kobe Bryant, their daughter Gianna, and seven other people in January, her lawyer said in a statement.
The Los Angeles Times reported on Friday that deputies from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department were accused of sharing photos of the crash scene in Calabasas, California, as well as the victims' remains outside the context of the investigation. In a follow-up story, The Times reported that a patron complained that a police officer was sharing images of the crash at a local bar.
The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said on Friday that it was investigating allegations of the photos being shared.
ADVERTISEMENT
Vanessa Bryant said in an Instagram post that the Los Angeles County Fire Department was also facing allegations of sharing photos of the crash. The department has not confirmed reports of such behavior, but told CBS News that it would "thoroughly investigate any allegations of misconduct and take swift and appropriate action consistent with our standards and professional conduct."
Robb said Vanessa Bryant had gone to the sheriff's office the day of the crash "and requested that the area be designated a no-fly zone and protected from photographers."
"This was of critical importance to her as she desired to protect the dignity of all the victims and their families. At that time, Sheriff Alex Villanueva assured us all measures would be put in place to protect the families' privacy, and it is our understanding that he has worked hard to honor those requests," Robb said.
Robb said sharing such photos of the victims and the scene would be "an unspeakable violation of human decency, respect, and of the privacy rights of the victims and their families."
kobe bryant vanessa bryant
Jed Jacobsohn/GettyImages
ADVERTISEMENT
He said that Vanessa Bryant was "grateful" to the person who filed a complaint about the photos being shared, and asked anyone else who had any further information to contact him at 816474-8080 or email via www.robbrobb.com .
Kobe Bryant, Gianna, and 7 others were killed in a helicopter crash on January 26. Other victims of the crash included Christina Mauser; Payton and Sarah Chester; John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli; and helicopter pilot Ara Zobayan.
- Read more:
- Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to conduct an investigation after graphic photos of Kobe Bryant helicopter crash were allegedly shared
- Nike is reportedly releasing a new Kobe 5 in March after Nike completely sold out of Kobe Bryant merchandise just days after his death
- 'Stop playing': LeBron James initially thought his Lakers teammates were joking when they told him Kobe Bryant had died
- Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu who had a close relationship with Kobe and Gigi Bryant made NCAA history hours after eulogizing her mentor and mentee
See Also:
ADVERTISEMENT
- 'When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died': Michael Jordan remembers fellow NBA legend Kobe Bryant like a 'little brother'
- 'She was so full of life': Vanessa Bryant laments not being able to watch her daughter grow up at the memorial for Gianna and Kobe
- NBA legends and celebrities came out in droves to pay their respects at Kobe and Gianna Bryant's memorial. Here's who attended.
FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended articles
Africa may just have the lowest level of cyber threats compared to other regions
A look into Kenya’s Shs1.1 billion climate funding from the UK
FCMB: A corporate journey of resilience, evolution, and growth
Congo is spending 22% of its scarce revenue on security - Minister
Another African country is set to get a Russian embassy
Medic West Africa 2024: A resounding success in fostering collaboration and innovation for a brighter healthcare future
10 African countries with the most troubling external debt in 2024
10 African countries with the least soft power influence over the world
