LA agrees to pay Kobe Bryant widow almost $29m

On January 26, 2020, former NBA star Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. The incident shocked the world and triggered an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans, athletes, and celebrities around the globe.

The helicopter, a Sikorsky S-76B, was en route to a basketball game at the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks when it crashed into a hillside in foggy conditions. All nine people on board were killed instantly. In addition to Kobe and Gianna Bryant, the victims included John Altobelli, a baseball coach at Orange Coast College; his wife, Keri Altobelli; and their daughter, Alyssa Altobelli, who was Gianna's teammate. Also killed were Christina Mauser, an assistant coach for the Mamba Academy; Sarah Chester and her daughter, Payton Chester; and the pilot, Ara Zobayan.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted an investigation into the crash and released a preliminary report in February 2020. The report indicated that there were no signs of engine failure or mechanical issues with the helicopter before the crash. However, the report also noted that the pilot had violated federal aviation rules by flying into the clouds, which impaired his visibility and led to disorientation. The NTSB determined that the cause of the crash was likely due to the pilot's decision to continue flying in the foggy conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and loss of control.

The tragedy prompted widespread mourning and tributes to Kobe Bryant and the other victims. In addition to the numerous public memorials and tributes, the NBA announced several measures to honor Bryant's legacy, including renaming the All-Star Game MVP award in his honor and creating the Kobe & Gianna Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award. The Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant's former team, also dedicated their 2020 season to his memory and won the NBA championship that year.

Los Angeles County has agreed to pay nearly $29m (£24m) to NBA superstar Kobe Bryant's widow after police shared graphic images of his fatal helicopter crash two years ago.

Bryant and his daughter Gianna died along with seven others when the aircraft crashed in the LA area.

His wife, Vanessa Bryant, sued, saying first responders photographed human remains as tradable "souvenirs".

Lawyers for LA County called the settlement "fair and reasonable".

"Today marks the successful culmination of Mrs Bryant's courageous battle to hold accountable those who engaged in this grotesque conduct," lawyers for the plaintiff said in a statement on Tuesday.

"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."

In a statement, Mira Hashmall, the lead trial counsel for Los Angeles County in the case, said all county-related litigation from the crash had been resolved.

She said the $28,850,000 settlement included the $16m awarded by a federal jury in August 2022 to Mrs Bryant in her invasion of privacy lawsuit against Los Angeles County.

"We hope Ms Bryant and her children continue to heal from their loss," Ms Hashmall said.

Chris Chester, whose wife and daughter also died in the 26 January 2020 crash, separately settled with the county for nearly $20m, attorneys told US media on Tuesday.

In March 2021 Mrs Bryant shared the names of four sheriff's deputies she said had distributed "gratuitous photos of the dead children, parents, and coaches", who had been travelling to a basketball game.

She said the pictures, including those of her 13-year-old daughter Gianna, were taken and shared "for no reason other than morbid gossip".

Mrs Bryant testified at the trial that she had read in media reports how photos of the crash were shown at a pub by a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy.

"I live in fear of my daughters being on social media and these popping up," she told the court.

California has since passed a state law prohibiting first responders from taking unauthorised pictures of people who die at the scene of an accident or crime.

The aircraft in the crash that killed Bryant - a Sikorsky S-76B - went down into a hillside outside the city of Calabasas.

Conditions were foggy when the flight took off, and local police had grounded their helicopters due to the poor weather.