Vanessa Bryant issued her first public statement through an Instagram post on Wednesday night (Jan. 29), after the sudden deaths of Kobe and Gianna Bryant. Vanessa’s husband and 13-year-old daughter were tragically killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday (Jan. 26).

“My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time,” Vanessa wrote, along with a picture of her family. “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.”

Seven others were also killed in the crash, including Gianna’s basketball teammate.

“We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately,” Vanessa’s post continued. “There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now. I take comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved. We were so incredibly blessed to have them in our lives. I wish they were here with us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon.”

Vanessa also announced that donations could be made to the families of the crash victims through the Mamba Sports Foundation’s MambaOnThree Fund.

“I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them,” she continued. “But we wake up each day, trying to keep pushing because Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way. Our love for them is endless — and that’s to say, immeasurable. I just wish I could hug them, kiss them and bless them. Have them here with us, forever.”

“Thank you for sharing your joy, your grief and your support with us,” her post concluded. “We ask that you grant us the respect and privacy we will need to navigate this new reality.”

Kobe’s body was recently identified, along with three others, by fingerprint. Gianna’s body, however, has yet to be identified.

See Vanessa’s full post below.