'Taken from us too soon’: Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, breaks silence on social media

DETROIT – Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, broke her silence on social media Wednesday night following the deaths of her husband and 13-year-old daughter.

Retired NBA superstar Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. Determining the cause of the crash could take months, according to federal investigators.

Vanessa Bryant shared the following on social media:

"My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time. 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.

We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately.

There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now. I take comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved. We were so incredibly blessed to have them in our lives. I wish they were here with us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon.

I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them. But we wake up each day, trying to keep pushing because Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way. Our love for them is endless — and that’s to say, immeasurable. I just wish I could hug them, kiss them and bless them. Have them here with us, forever.

Thank you for sharing your joy, your grief and your support with us. We ask that you grant us the respect and privacy we will need to navigate this new reality.

To honor our Team Mamba family, the Mamba Sports Foundation has set up the MambaOnThree Fund to help support the other families affected by this tragedy. To donate, please go to MambaOnThree.org.

To further Kobe and Gianna’s legacy in youth sports, please visit MambaSportsFoundation.org."

Previous reports:

• ‘He was special’: The NBA tributes continue for Kobe Bryant
• TV anchor’s meeting with Kobe Bryant sent #GirlDads trending
• Report: Pistons forward Markieff Morris changing jersey No. 8 to honor Kobe Bryant
• Kobe Bryant leaves lasting impact on women’s basketball
• Kobe Bryant’s body, other crash victims identified
• Los Angeles unites in grief for adopted son Kobe Bryant
• Kobe Bryant’s death leaves NBA players, others in shock
• Kobe Bryant’s daughter: unmatched work ethic, constant smile
• In Europe, Kobe Bryant recalled for his ‘Italian qualities’
• 2004 Pistons championship team reacts to tragic death of Kobe Bryant
• Kobe Bryant, daughter killed in copter crash, 7 others dead
• Reaction to the death of retired NBA superstar Kobe Bryant
• Kobe Bryant was almost traded to Detroit in 1999
• Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash, officials confirm
• 5 Sweet Moments Between Kobe Bryant and Gigi
• Gianna Bryant, 13, was going to carry on a basketball legacy
• Kobe Bryant was great at basketball, but he also won an Oscar
• Woods stunned to learn of Kobe Bryant’s death
• San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors let shot clock run to honor Kobe Bryant
• Kobe Bryant left deep legacy in LA sports, basketball world