Vanessa Bryant is ‘absolutely devastated’ by allegations that deputies shared graphic photos of the helicopter crash scene where Kobe Bryant, their 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed, her lawyer said in a statement Saturday.
The Los Angeles Times reported on Thursday that a public safety source with knowledge of the events had seen one of the photos on the phone of another official in a setting that was not related to the investigation of the crash.
He said the photos showed the scene and victims’ remains and spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the allegations.
Vanessa Bryant’s lawyer, Gary Robb, said that she went to the sheriff’s office on January 26, the day of the crash, ‘and requested that the area be designated a no-fly zone and protected from photographers.’
Vanessa Bryant is ‘absolutely devastated’ by allegations that cops shared graphic photos of the crash scene where her husband and daughter died. Kobe, their 13-year-old daughter Gianna (right) and seven others perished in the crash
A public safety source with knowledge of the events had seen one of the photos on the phone of another official in a setting that wasn’t related to the crash probe
‘This was of critical importance to her as she desired to protect the dignity of all the victims, and their families,’ Robb said.
‘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.’
Robb said the sharing of photos would be ‘an unspeakable violation of human decency, respect, and of the privacy rights of the victims and their families.’
He called for those who shared the photos to ‘face the harshest possible discipline, and that their identities be brought to light, to ensure that the photos are not further disseminated.’
The Times reported that it’s unclear how widely the photos might have been disseminated and who was involved. It’s additionally unclear whether the deputies had taken the photos themselves or received them from someone else.
The Times also reported on Friday that the Sheriff’s Department quietly ordered deputies to delete any photos of the helicopter crash scene after a citizen complained that a deputy was showing the gruesome images at a Norwalk, California, bar, two public safety sources with knowledge of the events said.
The Times reported that it’s unclear how widely the photos might have been disseminated and who was involved. It’s additionally unclear whether the deputies had taken the photos themselves or received them from someone else
The Times also reported that the Sheriff’s Department quietly ordered deputies to delete any photos of the helicopter crash scene after a citizen complained that a deputy was showing the gruesome images at a California bar
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said in a statement Friday it was investigating the allegations detailed in the newspaper’s report.
Capt. Jorge Valdez, a spokesman for the sheriff’s department, said the department had contacted the victims’ families because of the newspaper’s inquiries.
The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, the union that represents rank-and-file deputies, declined to comment specifically on the allegations.
‘As with all investigations, we will aggressively represent our members and preserve their rights,’ the union said in a statement Friday.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said in a statement Friday it was investigating the allegations detailed in the newspaper’s report.
‘The sheriff is deeply disturbed at the thought deputies could allegedly engage in such an insensitive act,’ the statement said. ‘A thorough investigation will be conducted by the department, with the number one priority of protecting the dignity and privacy of the victims and their families.’
Deputy Maria Lucero said on Friday that ‘the matter is being looked into.’
‘At that time, Sheriff Alex Villanueva [right) assured us all measures would be put in place to protect the families’ privacy,’ lawyer Gary Robb (left) said
Bryant and the others were killed in the helicopter crash northwest of Los Angeles were traveling to a youth basketball tournament at Bryant’s sports facility in Thousand Oaks
Bryant and the others were killed in the helicopter crash northwest of Los Angeles were traveling to a youth basketball tournament at Bryant’s sports facility in Thousand Oaks. The cause of the crash is undetermined.
Bryant and his daughter Gianna, whose team was coached by her father, were honored at a public memorial Monday at Staples Center, where Bryant starred for most of his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
A report by the National Transportation Safety Board stated there weren’t any signs of engine failure from the wreckage recovered from the crash site.
The pilot, Ara Zobayan, had nearly navigated the helicopter out of blinding clouds when it turned and plunged into the mountainside.
Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, filed a wrongful death lawsuit Monday, alleging that Zobayan was careless and negligent by flying in cloudy conditions and should have aborted the flight.
The lawsuit names Island Express Helicopters Inc., operator of the service, and Island Express Holding Corp., owner of the craft. It also targets pilot Ara Zobayan´s representative or successor, listed only as ‘Doe 1’ until a name can be determined.
Also killed in the crash were Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and their daughter Alyssa; Christina Mauser, who helped Bryant coach the girls’ basketball team; and Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton. Alyssa and Payton were Gianna’s teammates.