Vanessa Bryant Settles With Los Angeles County Over Misuse Of Helicopter Crash Photos

Vanessa Bryant has settled her remaining claims against Los Angeles County for the misuse of photos of the helicopter crash that killed her husband, Kobe Bryant, and daughter, Gianna Bryant, for nearly $30 million.

Last August, a jury awarded Vanessa Bryant $15 million for her federal claims. The settlement filed today includes that figure and refers to state invasion of privacy claims.

Bryant also added his two youngest daughters, Capri and Bianka, to the deal to finalize the deal.

“Today marks the successful culmination of Ms. Bryant’s courageous battle to hold accountable those who engaged in this grotesque conduct,” said Luis Li, Bryant’s attorney.

“She fought for her husband, her daughter, and all those in the community whose deceased family was treated with similar disrespect.

“We hope that his trial victory and this settlement will put an end to this practice.”

Employees of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office and fire department inspect the scene of the accident in January 2020

Li previously said Bryant would donate proceeds from the lawsuit to her Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which honors her late husband and daughter.

Bryant has said he wanted the money to “shine light on the legacy of Kobe and Gigi.”

On January 26, 2020, Kobe Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna Bryant, 13, were in a helicopter with seven other people. The helicopter crashed in foggy conditions outside of Los Angeles, resulting in the deaths of all on board.

Right after the deaths of her family members, Vanessa Bryant learned that some employees of the fire department and county sheriff had shared graphic photographs of human remains from the crash.

She sued the county for negligence and invasion of privacy eight months later and won last August, when a jury awarded her the multimillion-dollar sum.

“This settlement has now concluded all county-related litigation related to the tragic January 2020 helicopter crash,” said county lead trial attorney Mira Hashmall.

“We hope that Ms. Bryant and her children continue to recover from their loss.”

Kobe Bryant, who played like a star for the Los Angeles Lakers for two decades before retiring in 2016, was on his way to coach his teenage daughter’s basketball team at their Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California, on the day of the accident.

An inspection of the wreckage and flight records indicated that the pilot, Ara Zobayan, became disoriented in the clouds and crashed into a hill near Calabasas, killing all nine people on board.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff at the time, Alex Villanueva, asked the recently widowed Bryant if there was anything he could do for her.

During a deposition, Bryant said she asked the sheriff that “nobody take pictures of them,” referring to her late husband and daughter.

She said Villanueva assured her he would, to which she said, “No, I need you to call right now and I need you to make sure the area is secured.”

Bryant later testified at trial that he learned from a report in the Los Angeles Times that a Los Angeles County deputy sheriff had shown footage of the crash at a bar.

“I live in fear that my daughters will be on social media and show up,” she said.

Vanessa Bryant walks hand in hand with her daughter Natalia, soccer star Sydney Leroux, a friend and her attorney Luis Li as they leave court in Downton Los Angeles, CA. Wednesday, August 24, 2022. Previously received $15 million

Kobe and Gianna Bryant, who perished in the helicopter crash along with seven others.

The helicopter crashed into a hill near Calabasas after cloudy conditions confused the pilot.

Bryant testified at trial that he learned from a report in the Los Angeles Times that a Los Angeles County deputy sheriff had shown footage of the crash showing human remains in a bar.

County attorneys argued in court that the photos were taken and shared, but said an immediate order to remove them prevented them from spreading.

The footage was reportedly shared primarily among employees of the Los Angeles County fire and sheriff’s departments.

County attorneys argued in court that the photos were taken and shared, but said an immediate order to remove them prevented them from spreading.

In August, the jury also awarded $15 million to Chris Chester, who joined the lawsuit because his wife and daughter also died in the crash. The county has agreed to pay the Chester family an additional nearly $5 million to settle any future claims.

Two other families settled separately with the county over the photos for $1.25 million each in October 2021.