Victim's husband sues LA Sheriff's Department over Kobe crash scene photos

Los Angeles, California- The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is being sued by a family that lost a loved one in the crash that killed Kobe Bryant and his daughter.

A mural honoring Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in downtown Los Angeles, California.
A mural honoring Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in downtown Los Angeles, California.  © Imago Images / Icon SMI

Matthew Mauser lost his wife Christina in the January 26 tragedy. She was 38 years old and the mother of three children.

Now, Mauser is suing the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department for invasion of privacy, citing the cellphone pictures taken at the crash site.

According to TMZ Sports, Mauser claims that Sheriff Alexander Villianueva did not do an adequate job securing the scene of the accident. This gave first responders from the LA County Fire Department an opportunity to take pictures that included his wife's body.

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He is also accusing the first responders of sharing these photos with people not involved in the investigation.

Mauser is suing the department for invasion of privacy, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among other things. For these and other unspecified damages, he is seeking $25,000.

In his suit Mauser alleges that he and his three daughters suffered from severe emotional distress, humiliation, as well as anxiety because of "the realization that photographs of their mother and wife were wrongfully taken, shown and discussed."

Vanessa Bryant sued the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in September for violation of privacy because of photos of the bodies taken at the crash site, that were later shared with people not involved. Her suit inspired the "Kobe Bryant law" that bans first responders from taking pictures of the deceased.

The law is set to come into effect in January in California.

Cover photo: Imago Images / Icon SMI

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