According to transcripts of depositions obtained by USA TODAY Sports Saturday, Alex Villanueva confirmed that her husband and their teenage daughter were killed.
"And I said to them: "If you cannot bring my husband or baby back, please ensure that no one takes photos of them." Vanessa Bryant asked for security. "And he said, 'I will.' I replied: 'No. I need to get on the telephone right now and make sure the area is secure.'
Villanueva, she explained, excused himself for a moment and assured her that the area was secure when he returned.
Villanueva did not return a message seeking comments.
Bryant's federal lawsuit against the county claims invasion of privacy. She has claimed in court papers she has suffered "severe emotion distress" after the loss of her husband and 13 year-old daughter, Gianna. According to the lawsuit, first responders such as firefighters and sheriff’s deputies shared photos of Kobe Bryant's corpse with a bartender, and then passed on "gratuitous photographs of the deceased children, parents, and coaches."
Kobe Bryant and others were killed in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles on Jan 26, 2020. The helicopter was carrying them to a girls basketball tournament. The crash was attributed to pilot error by federal safety officials.
Los Angeles County wants to force Vanessa Bryant's psychiatric evaluations to find out if she and other victims suffered from emotional distress. Bryant's attorneys argue that the examinations were "cruel", while the county claims the examinations "are a routine part of discovery."
