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Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa breaks silence on his and Gianna’s death in heartbreaking statement


Vanessa says she is ‘completely devastated’ over Kobe and Gianna’s deaths (Picture: Getty)

Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa Bryant has broken her silence on the tragic death of the NBA star and their daughter Gianna.

Vanessa, 37, returned to Instagram on Wednesday to speak out after the helicopter crash which killed Kobe, 41, their 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people in Calabasas, California on Sunday.

In a lengthy statement shared alongside a sweet family photo, Vanessa said: ‘My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time. Thank you for all the prayers.’

Kobe and Vanessa also share three other daughters – Natalia, 17, Bianka, three, and Capri, seven months.

She continued: ‘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.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B77K8XWDY7O/

‘We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately. 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.’

Looking to the future, Vanessa admitted: ‘I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them. 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.’

Vanessa says she and her three daughters will now have to ‘navigate a new reality’ (Picture: Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant, Instagram)

She added: ‘Thank you for sharing your joy, your grief and your support with us. We ask that you grant us the respect and privacy we will need to navigate this new reality.’

Vanessa then announced they have set up the MambaOnThree Fund to help support the other families affected by this tragedy through the Mamba Sports Foundation.

Kobe and Gianna were married for 18 years and had just celebrated the 20th anniversary of their first meeting.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Kobe shared a throwback photo from their early dating days and said: ‘On this day 20 years ago I met my best friend, my Queen @vanessabryant.

‘I decided to take her on a date to Disneyland tonight to celebrate old school style (pre 4princesses). I love you mamacita per sempre.’

Coroners have confirmed the identities of some of those on-board the helicopter, including Kobe, while an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fatal crash.



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