Who is Chris Chester, and how is he related to Vanessa Bryant? Exploring his role in Los Angeles County lawsuit

Vanessa Bryant has settled her lawsuit with Los Angeles County for $28.9 million. The lawsuit was regarding photos taken at the crash site of the helicopter accident that killed her husband Kobe Bryant, daughter Gigi Bryant and seven others.

Chris Chester, who also lost his wife and daughter, was named co-plaintiff in the lawsuit and settled for $20 million. Lawyers for LA County are hoping that all parties will move on and are hoping that the Bryant and Chester families can finally start the healing process.

"We believe the settlement approved by the Board in the Bryant case is fair and reasonable," Mira Hashmall said. "The $28,850,000 settlement includes the verdict awarded by the federal jury in August 2022 and further resolves all outstanding issues related to pending legal claims in state court, future claims by the Bryant children and other costs, with each party responsible for its respective attorneys' fees."

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Who is Chris Chester?

Chris Chester lost his wife Sarah and daughter Payton in the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant. (Photo: MEAWW)

Chris Chester met his wife Sarah in college, and they have three children together — twin boys and a daughter named Payton. Chester revealed during his testimony in the trial for his lawsuit against Los Angeles County last year about what happened in the morning before the helicopter crash. He said, per CNN:

"I gave Sarah a kiss, and I told them I'll see them that night,” Chester said. "I'm grateful every day that I did give her a kiss and say 'I love you.'"

Chester was with his twin sons, watching their lacrosse game in Orange County when news of the crash started trending. During the funeral for his wife and daughter, Chester promised that he'll take care of their sons as long as she takes care of Payton.

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Vanessa Bryant hoping that her case will stop responders from sharing pictures of crash sites

Vanessa Bryant at the Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant

Vanessa Bryant feared that pictures of his husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gigi Bryant at the helicopter crash site would have gone public. It was the reason why she filed a lawsuit against LA County.

Now that everything has been settled, Kobe's widow is hoping to move forward with her life. She's raising their remaining three daughters — Natalia, Bianka and Capri. She's also hoping that her case will stop others from sharing pictures of crash sites.

"Today marks the successful culmination of Mrs. Bryant's courageous battle to hold accountable those who engaged in this grotesque conduct," Vanessa Bryant's attorney said in a statement via ESPN. "She fought for her husband, her daughter and all those in the community whose deceased family were treated with similar disrespect. We hope her victory at trial and this settlement will put an end to this practice."

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