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Kobe Bryant's dead body was unlawfully photographed by officials, a Los Angeles jury has concluded at the end of a two-week invasion of privacy trial brought by his widow Vanessa.

The jury awarded Vanessa Bryant $16 million in compensation, after less than a day deliberating. Her co-defendant Chris Chester, who lost his wife Sarah, 45, and daughter, Payton, 13, in the helicopter crash that killed nine, was awarded $15 million.

Bryant broke down in tears as the verdict was announced. She was comforted by her daughter Natalia, whose 13-year-old sister Gianna also died in the helicopter crash that killed the 41-year-old basketball superstar.

A court reporter for the website Law and Crime said that Bryant turned in her seat to look at the jury, mouthing the words 'thank you'. She then hugged her lead lawyer, Luis Li.