With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
'Inexcusable And Deplorable:' Vanessa Bryant On Reports First Responders Shared Graphic Photos Of Crash
Vanessa Bryant speaks during the public memorial to her husband and daughter held last week at Staples Center (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
()
Vanessa Bryant on Sunday denounced as "inexcusable and deplorable" reports that Los Angeles County first responders shared graphic photos of the helicopter crash site where husband Kobe, their 13-year old daughter and seven others were killed.
Bryant, 37, posted the statement issued by her attorney on Instagram, where she has more than 13 million followers. She has used the social media platform to communicate with the public since making her once private account public shortly after the deadly crash on January 26.
The statement says she is devastated by allegations some L.A. County Sheriff's deputies at the Lost Hills station and some L.A. County firefighters publicly shared crash site photos.
"This is an unspeakable violation of human decency, respect, and of the privacy rights of the victims and their families," the statement said.
Support for LAist comes from
The allegations were first reported last week by the Los Angeles Times.
Bryant's attorney, Gary Robb, says she personally went to the sheriff's office the day of the crash to request the site be designated a no-fly zone and protected from photographers to preserve the diginity of victims and their families. Robb says the sheriff assured them all measures would be taken. The Sheriff''s Department on Friday launched an investigation into the allegations in the Times report.
Bryant is demanding an Internal Affairs investigation and wants those responsible to face the harshest possible discipline.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist