Vanessa Bryant’s First Statement on Husband’s Death: ‘Aren’t Enough Words to Describe Pain’

Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, has given her first public statement Wednesday on the deaths of her husband, their 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven other people. “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. We definitely need them,” Bryant wrote. Her Instagram post includes a complete family photo.

“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.” Bryant added that they are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and they “share in their grief intimately.”

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Bryant also encouraged supporters to donate to the Mamba Sports Foundation: “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. To honor our Team Mamba family, the Mamba Sports Foundation has set up the MambaOnThree Fund to help support the other families affected by this tragedy. To donate, please go to MambaOnThree.org. To further Kobe and Gianna’s legacy in youth sports, please visit MambaSportsFoundation.org. Thank you so much for lifting us up in your prayers, and for loving Kobe, Gigi, Natalia, Bianka, Capri and me. #Mamba #Mambacita #GirlsDad #DaddysGirls #Family ❤️”

The seven other victims of the crash are two of Gianna's teenage teammates, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester; three of their parents; a basketball coach; and the pilot.