Kobe's Widow Not Happy About Allegations on Crash Site

Vanessa Bryant 'absolutely devastated' pictures may have been shared of victims' remains
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 2, 2020 12:00 PM CST
Kobe's Widow 'Devastated' Over Claim of Crash Site Pics
Vanessa Bryant speaks during a celebration of life for her husband, Kobe Bryant, and daughter Gianna on Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

An investigation is ongoing into allegations that deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department leaked graphic photos of the site of the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash, including images that showed the victims' remains. Bryant's widow, Vanessa, is "absolutely devastated" by that claim, her lawyer says. "Mrs. Bryant personally went to the sheriff's office on Jan. 26 and requested that the area be designated a no-fly zone and protected from photographers," said Gary C. Robb, per People. The January accident killed Kobe Bryant; his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna; and seven others. Robb added that Vanessa Bryant was promised by Sheriff Alex Villanueva himself that such privacy for the victims and their families would be honored.

Bryant also shared the statement on her own Instagram feed. The allegations were first noted in a Los Angeles Times article, which quoted the chair of the Civilian Oversight Commission calling the accusations "completely unprofessional" and "very regrettable" if true. Robb noted that the allegations came to light after someone filed an online complaint. In its own statement, the sheriff's office says it's "deeply disturbed" by the claim, and that "a thorough investigation will be conducted by the department, with the number-one priority of protecting the dignity and privacy of the victims and their families." It adds that "existing policies and procedures" on how such things are handled will also be scrutinized. (More Kobe Bryant stories.)

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