via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 09: Los Angeles Lakers Guard Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa Bryant pose for a photo during a game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Washington Capitals at STAPLES Center on March 09, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLI via Getty Images)
via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 09: Los Angeles Lakers Guard Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa Bryant pose for a photo during a game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Washington Capitals at STAPLES Center on March 09, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLI via Getty Images)
Two years ago, the world lost one of the biggest names in sports. Kobe Bryant and eight others suffered a fatal accident in a gruesome helicopter crash. The aftermath of the crash was devastating. Family. friends and almost the entire sporting world were left in disbelief. However, what seemed to be over had another turn in the story.
Vanessa Bryant’s life turned into a nightmare. Photos of the crash site came out to the world, and the 40-year-old’s heart dropped. She suffered panic attacks and feared the photos coming out again.
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Vanessa Bryant, along with her co-plaintiff Chris Chester, subsequently sued Los Angeles County after several members of the department shared photos of the crash site and the victim’s bodies.
Vanessa gets justice for Kobe Bryant
While investigating the Calabasas crash, the LA Sheriff’s Department took photos for inspection. However, what followed was simply unacceptable to Vanessa and Chester. A few of the deputies and firefighters circulated the photos at a gala. When the photos came to the surface, Vanessa had to rush out of her house in distress.
The county agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle the matter. However, Vanessa wanted justice for Kobe Bryant. She took the matter to court. After an emotional proceeding, she was awarded $16 million. The Los Angeles jury awarded Bryant and Chester a combined $31 million, after an emotional trial that began on August 10.
Jury awards Vanessa Bryant $16 million over crash photos taken of Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna – via @ESPN App https://t.co/3sG3jpP4de
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 24, 2022
Chester, who lost his wife Sarah and their 13-year-old-daughter Payton, was awarded a sum of $15 million for emotional distress while Bryant was awarded $16 million. Incidentally, the verdict came on August 24, celebrated as Kobe Bryant Day, in honor of the Los Angeles Lakers legend who wore number 8 and number 24 for the franchise during his NBA career.
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WESTWOOD, CA – JULY 14: Kobe Bryant, wife Vanessa Bryant, daughter’s Gianna Maria Onore Bryant and Natalia Diamante Bryant arrive at Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards 2016 at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion on July 14, 2016 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)
Since Kobe Bryant’s passing, Vanessa has been busy continuing the legacy Kobe Bryant left behind. She relaunched the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, in honor of her husband and daughter Gianna. In addition, Vanessa kept Kobe’s legacy alive through a new sponsorship deal with Nike.
WATCH THIS STORY: Kevin Durant vs Kobe Bryant’s first playoff duel in 2010
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Moving on from such a heavy loss could never be easy. The NBA universe undoubtedly still feels the loss of Kobe Bryant today. Arguably, the wound is much bigger for Vanessa. This situation possibly reopened all the pain.
What do you make of the entire situation? Let us know your views in the comments below.
