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Vanessa Bryant Speaks Out About Her Family's Devastating Loss

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A few hours after making her private Instagram account available to the public, Kobe Bryant's widow released a statement via the social media platform.

Her husband and second child, 13-year-old Gianna, and seven others were killed Sunday morning when their helicopter crashed in Calabasas. The emotional message includes a family photo of Kobe and Vanessa with their four daughters.

Vanessa Bryant encouraged people to donate to a fund set up to "support the other families affected by this tragedy" at MambaOnThree.org.

Her note:

My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time. Thank you for all the prayers. We definitely need them. We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe — the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna — a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.

We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately.

Read her complete message below:

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