Vanessa had sued the County of Los Angeles for alleging invasion of privacy after members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff and fire department shared horrifying images of the crash in an informal setting.
Vanessa, late basketball star Kobe Bryant’s widow, was awarded a prize of $16 million (around Rs 127 Crore) by a jury for sharing photos of human remains at the helicopter crash site where her husband, their 13 year old daughter Giannna and seven others were killed in 2020.
Kobe was 41 year old when he died. The Los Angeles Lakers great and 18-time All-Star won five NBA championships and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2020.
Vanessa had sued Los Angeles County, alleging invasion of privacy, after accusing members of the LA County sheriff’s and fire departments of sharing gruesome images of the crash in unofficial settings, including to patrons in a bar
Chris Chester, who joined Bryant’s lawsuit and his wife Sarah, 45 year old and daughter Peyton, 13 year old had died in the crash, was awarded $15 million, bringing the jury’s total of $31 million.
When the verdict was read out after an 11-day trial, Vanessa was present in federal court. Vanessa filed a lawsuit against the helicopter charter company and the late pilot’s property.
County has already agreed to pay her $2.5 million to settle similar cases filed by other families who died in the crash.
