September 22, 2020
Vanessa Bryant Sues L.A. County Sheriff Over Kobe, Gianna Crash Scene Photos Leaked
Vanessa Bryant is suing the L.A. County Sheriff and his department, claiming they caused her severe emotional distress after nine people, including her husband, Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and their 13-year-old daughter, were killed on January 26th in a helicopter crash northwest of Los Angeles.
Bryant has filed a lawsuit against the LA County Sheriff’s Department over photos taken at the crash site in Calabasas. The lawsuit describes events in the crash aftermath, when Vanessa Bryant and family members gathered at the LA County Sheriff’s station in Lost Hills. She was told by Sheriff Alex Villanueva that eight deputies were involved in taking and sharing photos of the remains of Kobe Bryant and other victims at the scene of the crash in Calabasas, and that he ordered the photos to be destroyed. He said at least one of the photos was shared outside of the department.
The lawsuit claims that one deputy used the photos in an attempt to impress a woman at a bar. Their conversation was overheard by a bartender, who filed a written complaint with the department, the lawsuit states.
Bryant alleges Sheriff Villanueva attempted to cover up the photos and she was not given answers about the supposed leak. The suit goes on to say that Villanueva told deputies that if they deleted the pics they would not face disciplinary action.
Vanessa is in constant fear of the photos being leaked and she is seeking unspecified damages including punitive damages.