The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating claims that deputies have shared photos from the helicopter crash site where Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant, and seven others were tragically killed.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the photos were of the crash site and included some of the victims’ remains. At least one deputy had the photos in his cell phone and was showing them “in a setting that had nothing to do with the investigation,” according to the report.
TMZ reports that the Sheriff’s Department knew about the leaked photos for three weeks. The photos were also allegedly passed around by members of the L.A. County Fire Department.
Allegedly, one of the deputies showed the photos off to a girl he was trying impress at a local bar. “He tried to impress a girl by showing her the photos,” a source told TMZ. The bartender overheard his conversation and filed an online complaint with the Sheriff’s Department. The photos were reportedly also passed around the Lost Hills Sheriff’s substation, the first responders to the crash.
This disturbing news comes just days after the Bryant family celebrated the lives of Kobe and Gianna during a memorial at the Staples Center.
Beyonce opened the memorial with beautiful performance of “Halo” and “XO,” which was one of Kobe’s favorite songs. Some of Kobe’s close friends and family took the mic to speak about their fondest memories of Kobe and Gianna. Vanessa Bryant gave an emotional 20-minute speech about her husband and daughter.
“God knew they couldn’t be on this earth without each other,” she said. “He had to bring them home to heaven together. Babe, you take care of our Gigi. I got Nani, BB, and Coco. We are still the best team. We love and miss you, booboo and Gigi. May you both rest in peace, and have fun in heaven until we meet again. We love you both, and miss you. Forever and always, mommy.”