Kobe Bryant family settles lawsuit over grisly photos for $28.5 million

Los Angeles County will pay a $28.5 million settlement to the family of late NBA star Kobe Bryant to resolve claims in a lawsuit alleging that law enforcement and firefighters shared gruesome photos of Bryant, 13-year-old daughter Gianna and other people killed in a 2020 helicopter crash, according to court filings.

The settlement includes the initial $15 million awarded by a federal jury in August to Bryant's widow, Vanessa Bryant, along with a new payment of  $13.5 million from the county, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

A judge must approve the proposed settlement order, which was filed Tuesday. 

"Today marks the successful culmination of Mrs. Bryant’s courageous battle to hold accountable those who engaged in this grotesque conduct," Luis Li, Bryant's attorney, said. "She fought for her husband, her daughter, and all those in the community whose deceased family were treated with similar disrespect."

County attorney Mira Hashmall said the settlement is "fair and reasonable."