Vanessa Bryant Officially Drops Lawsuit Against Helicopter Company And Pilot’s Estate After Terms Have Been Met

Vanessa Bryant, wife of late NBA star Kobe Bryant, has formally dropped the wrongful death lawsuit against Island Express Helicopters and the pilot’s estate.

According to Law 360, a settlement that was agreed upon in June has been met. Report says that Vanessa filed a stipulation of dismissal saying they “discharged and fulfilled the terms” of the June 2021 deal.

As previously reported, Vanessa lost her husband Kobe and their 13-year old daughter Gianna Bryant in a helicopter crash back in January 2020.

Seven other people, including the pilot Ara Zobayan, died that day as well.

The group was flying to a youth basketball game at Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in Ventura County, Calif., when the pilot encountered low clouds in the San Fernando Valley and crashed into a hillside, killing everyone aboard instantly.

In February, investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board ruled that Zobayan’s decision to disregard his training and fly into the clouds likely led to the crash, as he became disoriented because of the lack of visibility.

Had the pilot followed his training and opted to find somewhere to land, NTSB Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt told reporters, “this tragic crash could have been prevented.”