Vanessa Bryant Set to File Legal Claim Over Leaked Photos Revealing the Crash That Killed Kobe Bryant

A tragic air accident took the lives of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, and seven others in January. Following the loss, Kobe’s wife Vanessa has now sued the people who posted graphic images of the crash site. 

The devastating loss of her beloved husband and her teenage daughter will forever be a scar in Vanessa Bryant’s life. Kobe and Gianna passed away when they were aboard a helicopter to visit the Mamba Sports Academy along with others. The pilot lost control due to heavy fog and crashed near Calabasas. 

Fire officials and Sheriff deputies immediately made their presence at the site. Officials confirmed the death of everyone on board. In addition, the first respondents took pictures of the crash site. The worse part is they began circulating it online, causing severe outrage. 

Vanessa files legal claim over the leaked photos that show the aftermath of the crash that killed Kobe Bryant

On Friday, Vanessa Bryant filed a legal claim over the unauthorized photos taken the aftermath of the horrific crash. She makes the claim based on the “inexcusable and deplorable” behavior, seeking damages for emotional distress and mental anguish.

The LA Sherrif’s department admitted that the pictures taken by the officials at the site were not for investigative purposes. Consequently, this led to Vanessa’s agitation, knowing full well that the officials took the photos for their personal purposes.

“This [filing] solely is about enforcing accountability, protecting the victims and making sure no one ever has to deal with this conduct in the future,” a spokesperson for the Bryant family exclusively tells PEOPLE in a statement.“

“When a family suffers the loss of loved ones, they have the right to expect that they will be treated with dignity and respect,” the family spokesperson adds. “The Deputies in this case betrayed that sacred trust. This claim is intended to hold the Sheriff’s Department accountable and to prevent future misconduct.”

The Sheriff’s department asked the deputies to just delete the pictures, failing to launch any official investigation. The deputies had the safety of knowing that there would be no disciplinary action against them.

The photos of the crash that killed Kobe Bryant have been in wide circulation. Furthermore, the severity of this issue has led the California lawmakers to enforce a new bill. It is now illegal to click pictures of a crime site for personal use. Officials can only click pictures of a crime scene if it is for investigatory purposes.