Kobe Bryant’s widow Vanessa awarded R269m over crash site photos

The widow of the late basketball star Kobe Bryant was awarded $16m (about R269m) by a jury on Wednesday over the sharing of photos of human remains at the helicopter crash site where her husband, their 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in 2020, according to multiple media reports.

Vanessa Bryant had sued Los Angeles County, alleging invasion of privacy after accusing members of the Los Angeles County sheriffs and fire departments of sharing gruesome images of the crash in unofficial settings, including to patrons in a bar.

Chris Chester, whose wife Sarah, 45, and daughter, Payton, 13, were among those killed in the crash and who joined Bryant’s lawsuit, was awarded $15m, bringing the total jury award to $31m.

Bryant, who was in the Los Angeles federal courtroom when the verdict was read out after an 11-day trial, clasped her face in her hands and wept. She and her attorney declined to speak to reporters as they left the courthouse.

She also took to social media to celebrate the victory, posting a picture of her late husband and daughter alongside a caption: “All for you! I love you! JUSTICE for Kobe and Gigi!”

Just a day earlier, she took to Instagram to wish Kobe a happy birthday on what would have been his 43rd birthday.

Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other people died in the crash in Calabasas, California, on January 26 2020.

Vanessa Bryant has also filed lawsuits against the helicopter charter company and the deceased pilot’s estate.

The county already agreed to pay $2.5m to settle a similar case brought by families of others who died in the crash.

Kobe Bryant was 41 when he died. The Los Angeles Lakers great and 18-time All-Star won five NBA championships and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2020.

- Additional reporting by Khanyisile Ngcobo

Reuters