*The shocking news about Kobe Bryant’s death at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash on Sunday was first reported by the celebrity-gossip site TMZ.
As noted by insider.com, Los Angeles authorities later slammed the outlet for reporting the fatal accident before they could alert the victims’ families.
L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva mentioned the site during a press conference hours after the crash.
“There was wide speculation as to who their identities are; however, it would be entirely inappropriate right now to identify anyone by name, until the coroner has made the identification through their very deliberative process and until they’ve made notifications to next of kin,” Villanueva said.
“It would be extremely disrespectful to understand that your loved ones perished and you learned about it from TMZ,” he added. “That is just wholly inappropriate. So we’re not going to be going there.”
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Italy, where Kobe Bryant grew up, will mourn the basketball player’s death for a full week. Every pro team in all levels of basketball will pay homage to Kobe with a moment of silence in every game for seven days, the Italian basketball federation said. https://t.co/JjgZAhSVBX
— CNN (@CNN) January 28, 2020
Los Angeles County Undersheriff Tim Murakami also posted slammed Harvey Levin’s webloid on Twitter.
“I am saddened that I was gathering facts as a media outlet reported Kobe had passed,” Murakami wrote. “I understand getting the scoop but please allow us time to make personal notifications to their loved ones. It’s very cold to hear of the loss via media Breaks my heart.”
TMZ has not commented on the criticism.
Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna (GiGi) were among those who tragically died in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, California, on January 26.
“I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA. Didn’t think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we’d have,” wrote LeBron James in an emotional tribute to Bryant on Instagram. “WTF!! I’m heartbroken and devastated my brother!!”
Bryant’s former teammate Shaquille O’Neal also posted a heartfelt message on Twitter, saying “IM SICK RIGHT NOW,” he tweeted.
The late NBA legend and his father were reportedly on the path of mending their years-old rift prior to his death.
It’s unknown if Bryant and his mother were able to reconcile.
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