LA County demands Vanessa Bryant take a psych evaluation regarding Kobe's crash lawsuit

Los Angeles, California - Los Angeles County has filed a motion against the widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, demanding that she subject herself to an independent psychiatric evaluation to prove her recent claims of emotional distress.

Vanessa Bryant at the Celebration of Life memorial ceremony for Kobe and Gianna Bryant in 2020.
Vanessa Bryant at the Celebration of Life memorial ceremony for Kobe and Gianna Bryant in 2020.  © Imago/UPI Photo

Vanessa Bryant (39), the wife of the late LA Lakers legend, is the subject of legal action in response to a previous lawsuit she filed against Los Angeles County over the tragic helicopter crash that killed her late husband and one of their daughters.

The news was originally reported by NBC News on Monday afternoon.

Bryant sued Los Angeles County and its sheriff's office last year for damages stemming from the controversial alleged leaking of imagery from her late husband and daughter’s tragic helicopter crash in late January of last year.

76ers star Joel Embiid hit with NBA suspension for shoving journalist
Athletes 76ers star Joel Embiid hit with NBA suspension for shoving journalist

Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna, and seven others were traveling to a basketball tournament in Thousand Oaks, California when the helicopter they were aboard crashed in nearby Calabasas.

Specifically, Bryant claims that county first responders shared photos of the crash and that "no fewer than eight sheriff’s deputies at the crash site pulled out their personal cell phones and snapped photos of the dead children, parents, and coaches," the legal documents state.

The lawsuit also says that "the deputies took these photos for their own personal gratification."

In regard to LA County’s motion, they state that independent psychiatric tests are "necessary to evaluate the existence, extent, and nature of Plaintiffs' alleged emotional injuries."

However, they’re also on the record as saying "plaintiffs cannot claim that they are suffering from ongoing depression, anxiety, and severe emotional distress and then balk at having to support their claims."

Bryant has spoken out about her devastation since the accident, and her ongoing grief.

She has also clashed with several companies over capitalizing on her husband's legacy and settled a separate lawsuit against the helicopter company responsible for the crash.

Bryant's attorneys responded to the county’s latest motion by calling it a "bully tactic," forcing "plaintiffs into abandoning their pursuit of accountability."

In the original complaint, the Bryant family is seeking tens of millions of dollars in damages from the county.

Cover photo: Imago/UPI Photo

More on Athletes: