NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others, were killed in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, after it had crashed into a mountain due to extreme fog

Vanessa Bryant was awarded almost $29million from Los Angeles County after their deputies shared photos of the helicopter crash they died in
Vanessa Bryant was awarded almost $29million from Los Angeles County after their deputies shared photos of the helicopter crash they died in (Image: Getty Images)

Vanessa Bryant, the widow of NBA great Kobe Bryant, was awarded almost $29million by Los Angeles County over photos that their deputies shared of the helicopter crash that her husband, her daughter Gianna, and seven others died in.

His wife Vanessa settled her claims for $28.85million, with $15million of that figure already awarded to her via a jury following a trial in federal court last August.

The devastating crash, that occurred in January 2020, shocked the world, who went into mourning for Bryant who was a hero for many in the world of Basketball and especially in Los Angeles, where he played for 20 years with the Lakers.

Luis Li, Bryant’s attorney, spoke of her “courageous battle” as she finally puts an end to the three-year battle she’d been fighting.

“Today marks the successful culmination of Mrs. Bryant’s courageous battle to hold accountable those who engaged in this grotesque conduct,” he said in a statement.

Vanessa Bryant was awarded almost $29million from Los Angeles County after their deputies shared photos of the helicopter crash they died in

Vanessa and Kobe Bryant had been married for 19 years and had four children together (Image: Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“She fought for her husband, her daughter, and all those in the community whose deceased family were treated with similar disrespect. We hope her victory at trial and this settlement will put an end to this practice.”

The co-plaintiff, Chris Chester, who tragically lost his wife and daughter in the crash, was awarded a $19.95million settlement as Mira Hashmall, the lead lawyer representing Los Angeles County in the case, said that the settlement was “fair and reasonable”.

She added: “[The settlement] resolves all outstanding issues related to pending legal claims in state court, future claims by the Bryant children, and other costs, with each party responsible for its respective attorneys’ fees.”

Vanessa Bryant was awarded almost $29million from Los Angeles County after their deputies shared photos of the helicopter crash they died in

Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna also died in the crash (Image: Getty Images)
Having had a storied career including five championships, one MVP, 18 All-Star appearances among countless other honours, Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest players in NBA history.

The shooting guard was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on May 15, 2021, as his wife Vanessa accepted the honour on his behalf, while she was joined on the stage by NBA icon Michael Jordan.