Kobe Bryant’s Widow Expresses Grief, Anger in Online Post

Kobe Bryant’s Widow Expresses Grief, Anger in Online Post
Vanessa Laine Bryant (L) and Kobe Bryant attend the 2018 Baby2Baby Gala Presented by Paul Mitchell at 3LABS in Culver City, Calif., on Nov. 10, 2018. (Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Baby2Baby)
The Associated Press
2/11/2020
Updated:
2/11/2020

Vanessa Bryant expressed grief and anger in an Instagram post on Feb. 10 as she copes with the deaths of her husband Kobe Bryant, their daughter Gigi and seven other people in a helicopter crash last month.

“My brain refuses to accept that both Kobe and Gigi are gone,” she wrote. “It’s like I’m trying to process Kobe being gone but my body refuses to accept my Gigi will never come back to me. It feels wrong. Why should I be able to wake up another day when my baby girl isn’t being able to have that opportunity?! I’m so mad. She had so much life to live.”

Bryant said she realizes she has to remain strong for her three surviving daughters, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.

NBA player Kobe Bryant, wife Vanessa Bryant and daughters Natalia Diamante Bryant (L) and Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant attend his hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 19, 2011. (David Livingston/Getty Images)
NBA player Kobe Bryant, wife Vanessa Bryant and daughters Natalia Diamante Bryant (L) and Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant attend his hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 19, 2011. (David Livingston/Getty Images)

“I know what I’m feeling is normal. It’s part of the grieving process. I just wanted to share in case there’s anyone out there that’s experienced a loss like this,” she wrote. “God I wish they were here and this nightmare would be over. Praying for all of the victims of this horrible tragedy. Please continue to pray for all.”

The social media post included a video feature from Slam Magazine about Kobe Bryant coaching their daughter Gianna’s basketball team.

Bryant was killed when the helicopter carrying him, his daughter and seven others crashed into a mountainside in Calabasas, California, while flying to a girls basketball tournament at his Mamba Sports Academy on Jan. 26.

Sarah Chester, Gianna Bryant, Payton Chester, Keri Altobelli, John Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Ara Zobayan, Alyssa Altobelli, Kobe Bryant. (Family Photo/Orange Coast Community College/Group 3 Aviation via AP/Getty Images)
Sarah Chester, Gianna Bryant, Payton Chester, Keri Altobelli, John Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Ara Zobayan, Alyssa Altobelli, Kobe Bryant. (Family Photo/Orange Coast Community College/Group 3 Aviation via AP/Getty Images)

A public memorial for Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and daughter Alyssa was scheduled Monday. Also killed in the crash were pilot Ara Zobayan and Bryant friends Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton.

Bryant announced last week that a “celebration of life” memorial will be held on Feb. 24 at the Staples Center to honor her late husband and 13-year-old Gianna.

Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna watch the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Connecticut and Houston in Storrs, Conn., on March 2, 2019. (Jessica Hill/AP Photo)
Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna watch the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Connecticut and Houston in Storrs, Conn., on March 2, 2019. (Jessica Hill/AP Photo)