Deputies Leaked Graphic Kobe Bryant Crash Scene Photos: Report

LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Deputies shared graphic images of the victims of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and eight others, according to a report published Thursday.

The Los Angeles Times, citing public safety sources, reported that the deputies shared the photos of bodies in a setting outside of the investigation. Past leaks of high profile crime scene photos or details of investigations involving celebrities have led to lengthy investigations within the department

A sheriff's department official told the Los Angeles Times the "matter is being looked into." Deputy Erin Liu of the Sheriff's Information Bureau told City News Service the department would not comment on the report Thursday evening.

It's unclear how many people saw or received the photos without authorization or whether the deputies had taken the photos at the scene or received them from someone else, according to The Times.

The sharing of photos of the crash scene and the victims' remains was the topic of a discussion among first responders two days after the crash, a public safety source with knowledge of the events told The Times. The source acknowledges that he saw one of the photos in a setting separate from the crash's investigation.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.