Leaked Photos of Kobe Bryant's Crash Bring His Widow $28M

Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant | Vanessa Bryant | Source: Getty Images

Vanessa Bryant lost her husband, Kobe Bryant, and daughter Gianna to a helicopter crash. Photos from the accident were leaked so, Vanessa filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County. After a long battle, Vanessa agreed on a payout of $28.85 million after initially settling on $15 million.

Vanessa Bryant has been fighting a long and emotionally draining battle with Los Angeles County for leaking photos of her husband, Kobe Bryant, and daughter Gianna Bryant from the tragic helicopter crash that killed them in 2020.

Vanessa Bryant in Los Angeles in 2022 | Source: Getty Images

Vanessa and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors settled on a payout of $28.83 million in the ongoing lawsuit. The agreement includes all of Vanessa's claims and any future claims her daughters Natalia, 20, Bianka, 6, and Capri, 3 might have.

Vanessa Bryant’s Battle Is Over: She Fought for the Memory of Her Loved Ones

Luis Li, Vanessa's lawyer, praised his client for her resilience and courage to get into a legal battle of this caliber. Holding an institution like Los Angeles County accountable will also encourage future victims that have their loved ones disrespected and exposed in this manner to fight for justice, explained Li.

Vanessa Bryant and her daughter Natalia in Los Angeles in 2022 | Source: Getty Images

This settlement puts an end to all the allegations against the county, and it includes the initial agreement of $15 million from August 2022, which was revised after the ​​County Sheriff's Department (LASD) and Fire Department (LAFD) were found guilty for posting the gruesome images from the helicopter crash.

Vanessa was not the only one suing the L. A County. A distraught father, Chris Chester, who lost his wife, Sarah, and daughter, Payton, in the crash, also had his loved ones' photos leaked and sued for emotional distress and invasion of privacy. Chester had previously agreed on $19 million.

However, Chester and Vanessa found out that the pictures of their loved ones were circulated to at least 28 devices and shared amongst firefighters. Vanessa even accused the emergency staff of taking advantage of her daughter's body because her father was not there to protect her.

Vanessa Bryant and Micheal Jordan at the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony in Connecticut in 2021 | Source: Getty Images

Mira Hashmall, one of the leading counsel in the trial and part of the Miller Barondess law firm, said the settlement was reasonable. Hashmall also hoped this agreement would allow Vanessa and her children to heal from this loss.

Users Can’t Help Their Emotions for the Widow

After announcing Vanessa's victory, fans praised her for fighting for her husband and daughter's memory. People acknowledged those photos should have never made it to the media and agreed they showed no remorse or respect for the family's tragic loss.

Kobe Byran and Gianna Bryants bronze statue in California | Source: Getty Images

A Facebook user applauded Vanessa for having the strength to fight for Kobe and Gianna's memory and standing beside her daughters throughout this painful loss.

Fans noticed that Vanessa had kept her family close, allowing this healing time to be personal without involving external parties. "I think thats a good woman because it showed she truly loves him and didnt allow the money to go over her head." added the Facebook user.

Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in Los Angeles in 2019 | Source: Getty Images

More users empathized with Vanessa and said "she deserved every penny" from her settlement, even though others admitted that no amount of money would erase the emotional turmoil of having these photos exposed to the public.

Some people were astonished at how representatives of the law were the ones to put citizens in harm. "I can't believe they were law enforcement officers taking pictures and showing them off. That's disgusting!" said another facebook user.

Kobe Bryant with his wife Vanessa and their children Gianna, Natalia and Bianka in Los Angeles in 2017 | Source: Getty Images

Even though Vanessa and her family will learn to live with the pain of this loss, the Bryant family empowered others who have been victims of such brutalities to stand up for their loved ones. .

Current Life of Vanessa and Kids after Their Devastating Loss

Although Vanessa and her daughters are facing a devastating loss and have been in legal battles since the helicopter crash in 2020, they are still celebrating their milestones while trying to move on with their lives.

Vanessa recently had to watch her eldest daughter Natalia leave for college at the University of Southern California.

Although the mother of four was proud to see her daughter step into a new chapter of her life, it was an emotional day to celebrate this milestone without the rest of her family.

Vanessa commemorated the moment with a sweet family picture on Instagram with her daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.

Life for Vanessa has been focused on her healing journey and the well-being of her children. A source said the late NBA star’s wife is not dating and will not be entering the dating scene anytime soon.

For now, she’s focusing on her mental health and well-being. Vanessa has also been staying out of the public eye and staying low, which is a deliberate choice, said the insider.

According to the source, Vanessa is always invited to several celebrity parties but most times chooses not to attend because she does keep a low profile.

Kobe and Vanessa were married for 19 years before he died, and their marriage only strengthened. He was not only a good father and husband but his humility was felt in the world. "There will never be anyone like Kobe. Kobe was one-of-a-kind, "He was special. He was humble. Off the court. But bigger than life," said Vanessa.

Kobe and his daughter died on their way to basketball game, and the legacy the NBA player left for other athletes and those to come in the future will forever be remembered and cherished.

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