Vanessa Bryant says she's 'devastated' over reports that deputies shared graphic photos of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe and their daughter

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said on Friday that it had launched an investigation into the allegations.
Vanessa Bryant's lawyer, Gary Robb, said sharing photos of the scene of the crash is "an unspeakable violation of human decency, respect, and of the privacy rights of the victims and their families."
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Vanessa Bryant said she's "absolutely devastated" over reports that sheriff's deputies in Los Angeles shared graphic photos of the helicopter crash that killed her husband, Kobe Bryant, their daughter Gianna, and seven other people in January, her lawyer said in a statement.

The Los Angeles Times reported on Friday that deputies from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department were accused of sharing photos of the crash scene in Calabasas, California, as well as the victims' remains outside the context of the investigation. In a follow-up story, The Times reported that a patron complained that a police officer was sharing images of the crash at a local bar.

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said on Friday that it was investigating allegations of the photos being shared.

Vanessa Bryant said in an Instagram post that the Los Angeles County Fire Department was also facing allegations of sharing photos of the crash. The department has not confirmed reports of such behavior, but told CBS News that it would "thoroughly investigate any allegations of misconduct and take swift and appropriate action consistent with our standards and professional conduct."

Robb said Vanessa Bryant had gone to the sheriff's office the day of the crash "and requested that the area be designated a no-fly zone and protected from photographers."

"This was of critical importance to her as she desired to protect the dignity of all the victims and their families. At that time, Sheriff Alex Villanueva assured us all measures would be put in place to protect the families' privacy, and it is our understanding that he has worked hard to honor those requests," Robb said.

Robb said sharing such photos of the victims and the scene would be "an unspeakable violation of human decency, respect, and of the privacy rights of the victims and their families."

kobe bryant vanessa bryant Jed Jacobsohn/GettyImages

He said that Vanessa Bryant was "grateful" to the person who filed a complaint about the photos being shared, and asked anyone else who had any further information to contact him at 816474-8080 or email via www.robbrobb.com .

Kobe Bryant, Gianna, and 7 others were killed in a helicopter crash on January 26. Other victims of the crash included Christina Mauser; Payton and Sarah Chester; John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli; and helicopter pilot Ara Zobayan.