Vanessa Bryant’s Mom Takes On Big Role After Kobe & Gianna’s Deaths

Kobe Bryant's widow Vanessa is still trying to navigate life without him and their daughter Gianna after they perished in a helicopter crash over two weeks ago.

A source told Us Weekly that Vanessa is “incredibly close” to her mom Sofia Laine, who has “been her rock throughout the past few weeks.”

“Her mom is always with her and the girls [Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, and Capri, 7 months] and she's been keeping Vanessa strong and she's the weight of her support system,” the insider added. “Vanessa takes solace in the support of her mom and her sister [Sophie Laine], who are committed to seeing her through this. But at the end of the day, there aren't words to describe her feelings.”

Earlier this week, Vanessa admitted that she was struggling to accept Kobe and Gianna's deaths. She wrote on Instagram, “I've been reluctant to put my feelings into words. My brain refuses to accept that both Kobe and Gigi are gone. I can't process both at the same time. It's like I'm trying to process Kobe being gone but my body refuses to accept my Gigi will never come back to me. It feels wrong. Why should I be able to wake up another day when my baby girl isn't being able to have that opportunity?!”

Along with calling it a “nightmare,” Vanessa went on, “I'm so mad. She had so much life to live. Then I realize I need to be strong and be here for my 3 daughters. Mad I'm not with Kobe and Gigi but thankful I'm here with Natalia, Bianka and Capri. I know what I'm feeling is normal. It's part of the grieving process. I just wanted to share in case there's anyone out there that's experienced a loss like this.”

Vanessa's post came just days after Kobe and Gianna were laid to rest at a private funeral at Pacific View Mortuary in Corona Del Mar, California.

A public memorial for Kobe and Gianna will be held on February 24, 2020, at 10 a.m. at Staples Center, where he played for most of his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The other victims in the January 26 crash were John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli; Sarah and Payton Chester; Christina Mauser; and pilot Ara Zobayan.