Vanessa Bryant Breaks Silence After Death of Husband Kobe Bryant & Daughter Gianna

Vanessa Bryant has released her first statement after the tragic death of her husband Kobe Bryant and their daughter Gianna.

Vanessa, 37, took to Instagram on Wednesday (January 29) to thank everyone for all of their love and support after the fatal helicopter accident.

“My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time,” Vanessa wrote. “Thank you for all the prayers. 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.”

Vanessa then went on to mourn the death of the seven other passengers that were killed with Kobe and Gianna.

“We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately,” Vanessa wrote. “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. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon.”

Vanessa continued: “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. 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 revealed that her husband’s Mamba Sports Foundation has set up a fundraiser for the other families affected by the crash.

“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,” Vanessa concluded. “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 ❤️”

Vanessa and Kobe had four daughters together, the late Gianna, Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, and Capri, 7 months. Our continued thoughts are with Vanessa, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri during this time.

There’s a heartbreaking detail about what Kobe and Vanessa had agreed about helicopters before his death.

You can read Vanessa Bryant‘s entire statement on Instagram here.