A Washington state high school principal who alluded to karma being the catalyst behind Kobe Bryant’s death has resigned from her post after getting hit with a barrage of backlash.
Principal Liza Sejkora of Camas High School criticized the deceased NBA star on Facebook after a tragic helicopter crash in late January claimed his life, the Associated Press reports. Sejkora suggested that Bryant, who was killed along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others, deserved to die and that karma had caught up with him following a 2003 sexual assault case that was dropped.
She wrote in a since deleted post: “Not gonna lie. Seems to me that karma caught up with a rapist today.”
Sejkora deleted the post but initially was unapologetic, later writing: “You are free to judge me for the post just as I am free to judge the person the post was about,” according to reports.
The statement made by Sejkora has rocked the school community.
“This has been a tumultuous week, however, I’ve been impressed with the level of professionalism our staff members have displayed as well as the caring and compassion from our families,” Snell said in a statement.
The former principal was placed on leave after a wave of complaints from the public and parents following the Jan. 26 social media post. She even reportedly received threats on her life.
Since the ordeal, Sejkora has issued an apology, saying: “to apologize for suggesting that a person’s death is deserved. It was inappropriate and tasteless.”
“I am working with the Camas leadership to resign my position as principal of Camas High School,” Sejkora said in a statement released Feb, 7. “Students and staff deserve to have a learning environment free of disruptions.”
She continued: “In education, we remind students to think before they post online, especially when feelings are inflamed,” she said. “We also teach our students about context. My emotions and past experiences got the best of me in that moment. We also teach our students that what we share online has permanency.”
Bryant, 41, was the subject of a sexual assault allegation in 2003 by a 19-year-old woman who worked at a Colorado resort. The former Lakers player and the woman had differing stories of what occurred with Bryant maintaining that he had consensual sex. The accuser, however, said she was raped. The woman later decided against prosecuting the case and the felony sexual assault charge was dropped. A civil lawsuit was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
On Jan. 26. Bryant, his daughter and seven others were traveling to the Mamba Academy, located in Thousand Oaks, California, for a game.
