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Vanessa Bryant ‘Devastated’ by Report That Cops and Firefighters Shared Photos of Fatal Crash Site

By Sean Facey

First responders allegedly shared graphic images of the Calabasas helicopter wreckage.
First responders allegedly shared graphic images of the Calabasas helicopter wreckage. / Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

The death of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven other victims in a January helicopter accident was a tragedy on multiple levels. Perhaps most shocking aspect of the fallout, however, is how some first responders reportedly handled themselves in the aftermath of the fatal crash.

Police officers from the Lost Hills Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, as well as firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, are alleged to have shared photos of the crash site publicly, much to the horror of Vanessa Bryant.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Statement From Gary C. Robb, Legal Counsel on Behalf of His Client, Vanessa Bryant: Our client, Vanessa Bryant, is absolutely devastated by allegations that deputies from the Lost Hills Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department publicly disseminated photos from the helicopter crash site. Mrs. Bryant personally went to the Sheriff’s office on January 26th and requested that the area be designated a no-fly zone and protected from photographers. This was of critical importance to her as she desired to protect the dignity of all the victims, and their families. At that time, Sheriff Alex Villanueva assured us all measures would be put in place to protect the families’ privacy, and it is our understanding that he has worked hard to honor those requests. First responders should be trustworthy. It is inexcusable and deplorable that some deputies from the Lost Hills Sheriff’s substation, other surrounding substations and LACOFD would allegedly breach their duty. This is an unspeakable violation of human decency, respect, and of the privacy rights of the victims and their families. We are demanding that those responsible for these alleged actions face the harshest possible discipline, and that their identities be brought to light, to ensure that the photos are not further disseminated. We are requesting an Internal Affairs investigation of these alleged incidents. Mrs. Bryant is grateful to the individual who filed an online complaint exposing these acts of injustice, and for the choice to protect human dignity. We ask that anyone else who has information as to the facts underlying these alleged grievous and shameful incidents contact our office at 816–474-8080 or email via www.robbrobb.com

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A statement from her lawyer described Mrs. Bryant as "devastated," adding that she had explicitly "requested that the area be designated a no-fly zone and protected from photographers ... to protect the dignity of all the victims, and their families."

If the allegations are true, then it's a shameful display from these first responders in question. Their actions show that they utterly lacked respect for the privacy of those affected by the awful accident.

It's especially disrespectful to Vanessa Bryant. She lost her husband and daughter as a result of the accident; the last thing she needed was to hear that graphic, unauthorized photos of the wreckage were being circulated, no matter the reason.

Hopefully, for her sake and the sake of all the families affected by the crash, the truth will come out and anybody responsible for spreading these images will be held accountable for their actions.