Vanessa Bryant’s deposition by L.A. County lawyers recounted how her husband Kobe and daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash. The testimony was in connection with her emotional distress lawsuit.
Bryant filed a federal lawsuit last year against the county and several of its agencies. The lawsuit alleges an invasion of privacy.
The Government wants to force Vanessa Bryant & her children, including a 5-year old, so submit to psychiatric testing while they defend a cop for taking/distributing death scene photos to friends/family/strangers
Yet, they don’t want murderous cops to even go to a grand jury…
— Libertarian-In-Chief (@ToddHagopian) October 17, 2021
Invasion Of Privacy
After emergency workers shared the tragic pictures of the wreckage, Bryant is suing for severe emotional distress. The workers shared the carnage with friends and acquaintances.
“Emotional distress means that not only do I have to grieve the loss of my husband and child, but for the rest of my life I’m going to have to fear that these photographs of my husband and child will be leaked,” Bryant said during the deposition, according to the transcript.
Candace Parker said she spoke to Vanessa Bryant pregame and the talked about Kobe and Gigi. #wnba #wnbafinals pic.twitter.com/MCiDBa0izf
— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) October 17, 2021
It all began the morning of Jan. 26, 2020. Vanessa Bryant was at her Orange County home with her two youngest children.
According to a transcript of the deposition, her husband, Kobe Bryant, took their teenage daughter, Gianna, to a basketball game. They went a helicopter from Orange County to Thousand Oaks, California.
Tragedy Strikes
In addition, according to the transcript, an assistant knocked on the door at 11:30 a.m.
The assistant told Vanessa Bryant that Kobe and Gianna had been in a helicopter crash. However, they mistakenly said five people had survived the helicopter accident.
"The most important thing it so try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do." – Koby Bryant #MentorMonday #TeacherCoach @kobebryant pic.twitter.com/8PAnASK0bI
— CTE TEACH (@CteTeachCA) October 18, 2021
Bryant said she figured her loved ones would be among the survivors. However, notifications started popping up on her phone that read, “RIP Kobe.”
According to court papers, she rushed to an airport to charter a helicopter to take her to the site. Ironically, she was denied due to inclement weather.
However, she told lawyers that she officially learned that Kobe, Gianna, and seven others had perished hours later at the sheriff’s station in Malibu.
Testimony
“My life will never be the same without my husband and daughter,” Bryant said. In addition, according to the document, she added that officials assured her that no first responders would take pictures of the scene.
https://twitter.com/KingFitch_H19/status/1451680254930538501?s=20
“And I said: ‘If you can’t bring my husband and baby back, please make sure that no one takes photographs of them. Please secure the area,'” Bryant said she told Los Angeles County, Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
However, Villanueva had previously admitted that possibly up to eight deputies had snapped, seen, or shared the images.
In fact, one deputy took up to 100 pictures on his phone, while another showed them off at a bar in suburban LA, Bryant’s suit said.
Unforgiveable
“The impact of the helicopter crash was so damaging, I just don’t understand how someone can have no regard for life and compassion, and, instead, choose to take that opportunity to photograph lifeless and helpless individuals for their own sick amusement,” Bryant said, according to the transcript.
MISS YOU BEAN 💜 lived your childhood dream @kobebryant 💛 https://t.co/QoQzuppNUN
— 𝘛𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘵 🎱 (@mylesthedon) October 21, 2021
In the aftermath of her husband’s death, Vanessa Bryant repeatedly received disturbing images of the helicopter crash via social media. County employees allegedly leaked the photos.
“I do not want my little girls or I to ever have to see their remains in that matter,” Bryant said in her deposition. “Nor do I think it’s right that the photographs were taken in the first place because it’s already tough enough that I have to experience this heartache and this loss.
“But now to live the rest of my life having to fear those photographs surfacing is something that I have to deal with every single day.”