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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Susan Knox

Vanessa Bryant pays tear-jerking tribute to late husband Kobe on his 44th birthday

Vanessa Bryant has posted a sentimental tribute to her late husband Kobe Bryant on what would have been his 44th birthday.

NBA legend Bryant, one of the greatest basketball players of all-time, tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in California on January 26, 2020.

The LA Lakers hero was one of nine people to be killed when their helicopter crashed in Calabasas, with 13-year-old daughter Gianni also amongst the victims.

Two years after his tragic death, and on what would have been his 44th birthday, Vanessa took to Instagram to pay a touching tribute to her love.

"Happy birthday, baby! I love you and miss you so much! #44," she penned alongside a gorgeous throwback picture of herself cuddling up to her late husband.

The LA Lakers hero was one of nine people to be killed when their helicopter crashed in Calabasas (Instagram)

Vanessa's tear-jerking social media post comes just days after the grieving wife and mother broke down in tears while testifying in a Los Angeles court room on Friday.

The devastated wife of Kobe admitted she lives in constant fear that photographs of the bodies of her husband and their daughter, Gianna, will be leaked on social media after officials shared them around the court room.

Vanessa also explained she had to run outside her house in a bid to hide her tears from her daughters after reading about the existence of the images taken of the helicopter crash scene.

Vanessa Bryant paid tribute to Kobe on his 44th birthday (AFP via Getty Images)
The NBA star died in January 2020 (AFP via Getty Images)

She said she now suffers with severe panic attacks as she fears the graphic images of her deceased husband and daughter may surface online one day.

"I don't ever want to see my babies in that way. Nobody should ever have to see their family that way," she told.

Vanessa is allegedly 'seeking millions in damages' from Los Angeles County after discovering first responders allegedly sent gory images of her Kobe and Gianna around.

Multiple witnesses involved in the incident have reportedly testified that they have seen the images.

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