A $28.85 million settlement was reached in Vanessa Bryant’s case against L.A. County and its sheriff’s department over photos taken at the late Kobe Bryant’s 2020 helicopter crash site.

Part of the settlement included $15 million that was awarded to Bryant in August of 2022, claiming emotional distress and a violation of privacy from the photos taken by first responders.

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

Bryant lost both Kobe and daughter Gianna in the helicopter crash that took the lives of 13 total passengers on the way to a basketball tournament in Calabasas, Calif.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s and Fire Department personnel admitted to taking photos of the crash site, but said the photos were not shared and were deleted upon request by superiors.

“Faced with a scene of unimaginable loss, no fewer than eight sheriff’s deputies at the crash site pulled out their personal cell phones and snapped photos of the dead children, parents, and coaches,” the lawsuit stated. “The deputies took these photos for their own personal gratification.”

Also receiving $19 million in a settlement was co-plaintiff Chris Chester, who lost his wife and daughter in the crash.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.