Vanessa Bryant has shared a brief statement on social media after a verdict was handed down in her privacy lawsuit against Los Angeles County.
A jury has today awarded her US$16 million in damages, finding that members of the County’s Fire and Sheriff’s departments invaded her privacy and caused emotional distress by sharing photos of the 2020 helicopter crash that killed nine people, including Vanessa’s late husband and basketball icon Kobe Bryant and their daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant.
“All for you! I love you! JUSTICE for Kobe and Gigi!” she posted on Instagram following the verdict.
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The jury also awarded US$15 million in damages to co-plaintiff Chris Chester, who lost his wife Sarah and daughter Payton in the same crash.
Both Vanessa and Chris had shared in court the distress they experienced after learning photos of their loved ones’s remains where shown to other first responders at the time. They argued the pics were publicly shared on at least 28 devices owned by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
“I live in fear everyday,” Vanessa said, explaining how she hopes her children never see the photos.
Coincidentally, today’s verdict – handed down on the 24th day of the 8th month of the year – is also “Kobe Bryant Day” which honours the late LA Lakers legend whose jersey numbers were “24” and “8”.
(Feature Image Credit: Tinseltown/Shutterstock)