Vanessa Bryant makes first public acknowledgement of Kobe’s and Gianna’s death
Vanessa Bryant has yet to speak publicly about the death of her husband and daughter, but she appears to have acknowledged the tragedy for the first time.
On Wednesday, Bryant’s wife changed the profile picture on her Instagram account to a touching photo of Kobe and Gianna.
Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa has changed her Instagram profile picture to a touching photo of Kobe and her daughter Gianna pic.twitter.com/oD8Iq1rNGg
— Steve DelVecchio (@SteveDelSports) January 29, 2020
Kobe and Gianna died in a helicopter crash on Sunday that also killed seven other people. It’s impossible to imagine what Vanessa must be going through, and it’s certainly understandable that she has yet to issue a public statement.
Kobe and Gianna were on their way to the Mamba Academy with other members of the team and the players’ parents for a basketball tournament on Sunday. Kobe had traveled by helicopter frequently over the last decade or so, and his explanation for doing so is heartbreaking now looking back.
Vanessa and Kobe have three other daughters together — 17-year-old Natalia, 3-year-old Bianka and 7-month-old Capri.
UPDATE: Here is Vanessa’s first Instagram statement on the tragedy.
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Other victims of the helicopter crash:
– John Altobelli, junior college baseball coach, also died in helicopter crash
– Christina Mauser, girls’ basketball coach, among the helicopter crash victims
– Sarah Chester, daughter Payton were also killed in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash
– Ara Zobayan was the pilot in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash
Tributes to Kobe:
– NBA players changing jersey numbers in honor of Kobe Bryant
– Bill Belichick shares touching anecdote in tribute to Kobe Bryant
– UConn honors Gianna Bryant with own jersey, spot on the bench
– Video: Shaq gets emotional talking about Kobe Bryant on TNT
– Dallas Mavericks retire Kobe Bryant’s No. 24 jersey
– Video: Raptors, Spurs start game with amazing tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Shaq posts heartfelt tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Michael Jordan releases statement on death of ‘little brother’ Kobe Bryant
– Video: Doc Rivers breaks down crying talking about Kobe Bryant
– Phil Jackson calls Kobe Bryant ‘a chosen one’ in statement on his death
– NBA commissioner Adam Silver issues statement on death of Kobe Bryant
– Video: Dwyane Wade posts emotional message reacting to Kobe Bryant’s death
– Kendrick Perkins extends olive branch to Kevin Durant after Kobe Bryant’s death
– Gilbert Arenas vows to begin coaching career like Kobe Bryant urged him to
– Video: Emotional Mike Breen sums up NBA world’s emotions about Kobe Bryant’s death
– Trae Young’s huge game was full of Kobe Bryant-related statistical coincidences
More coverage:
– Investigators release chilling drone footage from Kobe Bryant helicopter crash site
– Video: Kobe Bryant helicopter audio released
– Media errors, rumors, poor judgment run rampant in reporting of Kobe Bryant news
– TMZ says they had permission from Kobe’s people to report Bryant had died
– NBA postpones Tuesday’s Lakers-Clippers game after Kobe Bryant’s death
– Kobe Bryant recently filed for ‘Mambacita’ trademark for daughter Gianna
– Kobe Bryant checked in on Shaq’s son Shareef morning of helicopter crash
– No, Rick Fox did not die in helicopter crash that killed Kobe, Gianna Bryant
– Lakers fans start memorial to Kobe Bryant outside Staples Center
– Kobe Bryant’s last tweet was congratulating LeBron James on passing him
– Sports world stunned over Kobe Bryant news
– Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash – dead at 41
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