L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Is ‘Deeply Disturbed’ By Leaked Kobe Bryant Crash Photos
Emergency crews said images of the 41-year-old NBA legend and the eight other victims’ remains were being shared just two days after the tragedy, sources told The Los Angeles Times.
5/11/2020 7:24 AM PT
TMZ Updates 5/11/2020 7:24 AM PT: Kobe Bryant Pilot’s Rep Blames Fatal Helicopter Crash on Passengers
The representative of the pilot who was flying the helicopter that killed Kobe and Gianna Bryant, along with 6 other passengers, claims the people on board were responsible for the fatal crash.
It’s pretty shocking … the relative of pilot Ara George Zobayan, who also died in the crash, has answered Vanessa Bryant‘s lawsuit against Ara and the helicopter company, Island Express, saying, “Any injuries or damages to plaintiffs and/or their decedent were directly caused in full or in part by the negligence or fault of plaintiffs and/or their decedent, including their knowing and voluntary encounter with the risks involved, and that this negligence was a substantial factor in causing their purported damages, for which this answering defendant bears no responsibility.
Source:TMZ https://www.tmz.com/2020/05/11/kobe-bryant-pilot-blames-fatal-crash-on-passengers/
On Friday, the Los Angeles Times broke the news that someone within the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department had shared graphic photos of the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash scene. An officer allegedly was caught by a bartender showing a woman photos of the site in an effort to impress her.
Sources familiar with Island Express tell TMZ, the company had liability insurance coverage totaling $50 million. Our sources say that’s not an unusual figure, but given the number of people Island Express transports on a single helicopter and the fact rich celebrities used the service … the number is low.
UPDATE: 10:01 AM
Warning, these photos are probably not real!!!!
Has not been confirmed by the police
Kobe Bryant helicopter crash: California rescuers recover all nine bodies from the scene (Photos)
On Saturday, the department issued a statement to make it clear that they’re taking the matter seriously and investigating it.
“The sheriff is deeply disturbed at the thought deputies could allegedly engage in such an insensitive act,” a statement from the department read. “A thorough investigation will be conducted by the department, with the number one priority of protecting the dignity and privacy of the victims and their families.”
Kobe Bryant’s daughter Gianna also killed in helicopter crash
The basketball star, who became one of the most successful players in NBA history with five championship titles, had an accident on Sunday morning at around 10 a.m. local time, according to the American portal “TMZ” . A total of five people are said to have been killed in the accident. Bryant’s wife Vanessa was not on board.
The foggy weather in the mountains was mentioned as a possible cause. The helicopter went up in flames immediately after the impact and triggered a bush fire, which made the work of the rescue workers more difficult.
From his beginnings in the league in 1996 until his career end in 2016, the “Black Mamba” played exclusively for the Los Angeles Lakers and became a club and league legend. His shirt numbers 8 and 24 are no longer assigned.
Bryant was only 41 years old. Together with his wife, he has four daughters. The youngest is only seven months old.