Vanessa Bryant, the widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has made her first comments since the helicopter crash that killed her husband, one of their daughters and seven others on January 26.
In a post on Instagram with a family photo, Vanessa Bryant said she was “completely devastated” and that there were not “enough words to describe our pain”.
Kobe and Vanessa had four daughters including Gianna, 13, who died in the crash.
Kobe Bryant Killed in Helicopter Crash
Vanessa and Kobe Bryant end divorce proceedings and announce their reconciliation
Vanessa Bryant denies having plastic surgery to keep Kobe
There has been no word yet on funeral arrangements.
The cause of the crash in foggy weather west of Los Angeles is still being investigated.
Kobe Bryant, 41, was on his way to coach his daughter’s basketball team in a local youth tournament at the Mamba Sports Academy.
In the Instagram post, Vanessa Bryant also said: “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.”
The devastated wife added: “I wish they were here with us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon. I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them.”
Vanessa Bryant also thanked for the public support, and announced the formation of a fund to help support the other families that were affected by the crash, the Mamba Sports Foundation.
The other victims included the pilot, two other 13-year-old girls involved in the tournament, three of their parents and another coach.
Kobe Bryant was a five-time NBA champion for his only team, the Los Angeles Lakers, and a double Olympic gold medalist.
After a 20-year career with the team Kobe Bryant retired in April 2016.
