Vanessa Bryant says she 'refuses to accept' both Kobe Bryant and Gianna are gone after helicopter crash (2024)

VANESSA Bryant expressed her anger and sadness over the deaths of her husband Kobe and daughter Gianna in an Instagram post on Monday.

She wrote that she was "mad" and asked: "Why should I be able to wake up another day when my baby girl isn’t being able to have that opportunity?!"

"I’ve been reluctant to put my feelings into words. My brain refuses to accept that both Kobe and Gigi are gone. I can’t process both at the same time,'wrote Vanessa.

"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."

She went on to say that it feels "wrong" to lose a child.

"I’m so mad. She had so much life to live. Then I realize I need to be strong and be here for my 3 daughters," wrote Vanessa.

"Mad I’m not with Kobe and Gigi but thankful I’m here with Natalia, Bianka and Capri. 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. 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."

Vanessa included a video of her daughter playing basketball with the post.

That video also featured shots of Gianna's two teammates who lost their lives in the crash, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester.

A memorial for Alyssa and her parents will take place on Monday afternoon in California, while Gianna and Kobe will be honored at an event later this month.

Nothing was more important than family to Kobe and his wife.

In fact, the basketball star had been working to mend the wounds he had with his own estranged parents at the time of his death.

Sources revealed the families had been in contact again before his death - but Kobe, who also left behind daughters Natalia, 17, Bianka Bella, three, and baby Capri - tragically died before having the chance to completely mend that relationship.

"Kobe and his parents endured tumultuous times and it impacted his family life," a family business associate told The Sun.

"He always chose Vanessa and his children first.

"It was no secret that there was a distance between Vanessa and his folks after a series of bust-ups when they were dating, including them missing his wedding.

"That tense dynamic really never altered and Kobe attempted some reconciliations, but then he had his own run-ins and disagreements with them.

"But after he quit basketball he did see his parents again. His kids were also spending periods of time with his father. That relationship was tricky, but they worked through it.

"Knowing Kobe and his heart, he was considering how to bring about a full scale reunion one day."

The source added that some of Kobe's basketball pals were now trying to bring the two families together in their grief.

"There are strides being made to bring the families together," the source added.

It seems that Vanessa has continued Kobe's work too, and on Saturday she shared a video of his sister Sharia playing with the couple's youngest daughter.

"When he was alive the depth of the issues between his parents was something that was kept very quiet by Kobe," said the course.

"But he was the lynchpin for any resolutions. And his ability to forgive and seek a reconciliation was fueled by his religious faith.

"But now he is now gone, some basketball long term associates of Kobe are gently trying to encourage peace between the families.

"They are both dealing with a deep seated sense of trauma and emotional fall out over his death.

"And genuinely trying to broach any full scale reunion is not a possibility, but there is a hope that they may heal together.

"Currently his parents are grieving deeply, but want to be there to support their grandchildren.

"In the short term there is hope that the problems can be set aside for this moment - longer term nothing can be considered. But this is all up to Vanessa - and Lord knows what she is going through."

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