Petition calls for cancellation of TMZ after tragic Kobe Bryant helicopter crash

CALABASAS, Calif. (WSBT) --A Change.org petition is calling on Fox Television Stations to cancel TMZ in the wake of the tragic helicopter crash that killedKobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others.

"Basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna died in a horrific helicopter crash, and TMZ LEAKED the news before the authorities were even able to notify the family," the petition reads. "That means that Vanessa Bryant found out about the death of her husband and child through TMZ, tweets, or comments."

The petition, called "IT'S TIME FOR FOX TO CANCEL TMZ AFTER WHAT THEY DID TO KOBE BRYANT'S FAMILY", says TMZ's actions were "beyond not ok" and hopes to "get TMZ taken down once and for all."

At a Sunday news conference after the crash, Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva said it would be "inappropriate" to identify the crash victims before the coroner made the identification to next of kin.

"It'd be extremely disrespectful to understand that your loved one was perished and you learned about it from TMZ," said Villanueva. "That is just wholly inappropriate, so we're not gonna be going there. We're gonna wait until the coroner does their job."

The petition has garnered more than 100,000 signatures, so far.

41-year-old Bryant, a former Los Angeles Lakers player, was one of nine people aboard the aircraft, a Sikorsky S-76, when it crashed into a hillside in the Calabasas area. He is survived by Vanessa, 37, and their daughters Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, and Capri, 7 months, TMZ Sports reported.

The Associated Press reported that John Altobelli, the head coach of Southern California's Orange Coast College baseball team, was killed in the crash along with his wife and daughter. Altobelli's daughter played on the same team as Gianna.