Vanessa Bryant Releases Heartfelt Statement on Instagram

Vanessa Bryant released a statement on Instagram on Wednesday, thanking the public for the outpouring of support after the death of her husband Kobe Bryant and their oldest daughter Gianna. "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," she wrote. "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." She also wrote, "We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately." Bryant had earlier changed her profile picture to a sweet pic of Kobe and Gianna, her first public acknowledgement of the tragedy. In related news, Bryant's former Lakers teammate Shaquille O'Neal announced on Twitter Wednesday that he will donate all proceeds from his upcoming Super Bowl Week charity event to Bryant's foundation. "I’ll be dedicating and donating all my proceeds from Friday night’s Fun House to all the families who lost loved ones and to the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation. Together we will celebrate all those who lost their lives in Sunday’s tragedy," he tweeted. "RIP my brother, my friend and my homie, The Black Mamba. Until we meet again.”