Kobe Bryant’s family blasts ‘inaccurate’ media reports for causing them ‘unnecessary pain’

President of Kobe Inc. Molly Carter says coverage of the case has been ‘inaccurate’ and has upset the ‘grieving’ family

The president of Kobe Inc, Molly Carter, criticised the media’s coverage of the death of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant in a statement she released Thursday night.

“We are disappointed in some media’s broad use of unnamed sources and blind quotes, and remind everyone that the Bryant family will speak on our own behalf when appropriate,” Ms Carter said.

Mr Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, 13, were killed in a helicopter crash along with seven others in Calabasas, California on Sunday.

Ms Carter said that the “inaccurate reports” only served to hurt the Bryant family.

“To this point, no one has been authorised to speak on behalf of the family regarding any personal details surrounding Sunday’s tragedy, including stories related to the family’s previous air travel decisions,” Ms Carter said. “We ask members of the media for respect and responsible judgment during this difficult time. These inaccurate reports only add unnecessary pain to a grieving family.”

Thus far, the only public statement made by the family has come from Mr Bryant’s immediate family has come from his widow, Vanessa Bryant in an Instagram post.

“My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time,” she wrote. “Thank you for all the prayers. We definitely need them. We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe — the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna — a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.”

ABC News suspended its chief national correspondent, Matt Gutman, for erroneously reporting on-air that all four of Mr Bryant’s children were on board the helicopter that crashed.

Mr Gutman corrected the error and apologised for it on Sunday.

“We are in the business of holding people accountable. And I hold myself accountable for a terrible mistake, which I deeply regret,” Mr Gutman said Wednesday. “I want to personally apologise to the Bryant family for this wrenching loss and any additional anguish my report caused.”

The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the cause of the crash. The S-76B helicopter was not equipped with a terrain awareness and warning system – which alerts pilots to potential collisions – though it is not clear whether or not having the system would have made a difference.

Island Express Helicopter, the charter company that owned the helicopter carrying Mr Bryant and his daughter on the day of the crash, announced it would suspend its operation “until it is deemed appropriate.”

The company did not possess certifications to fly in instrument-only conditions – such as dense fog – but many Southern California charter operations work without the certification due to the region’s consistently mild weather.

California Representative Brad Sherman, on Thursday, said he planned to introduce the Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act to strengthen helicopter safety regulations nationwide.

“Kobe Bryant’s helicopter did not have this system when it crashed on January 26th. Had this system been on the helicopter, it is likely the tragic crash could have been avoided. These systems cost between $25,000 to $40,000 per helicopter,” the statement said.

The statement went on to say the legislation would direct the FAA to adopt “new helicopter safety standards in coordination with the National Transportation Safety Board, which must include a requirement that helicopters be equipped with a Terrain Awareness and Warning System.”

The legislation would also establish a commission on helicopter safety and require a report to Congress on best practices for helicopters in low visibility situations.