Vanessa Bryant has finally responded to Evan Rachel Wood after she called her late husband Kobe a "rapist".

She said that Wood's decision to call Kobe a rapist on the day he died in a helicopter crash with his teenage daughter was "vile" and "disturbing".

Taking to Instagram on January 27, 2020, the Westworld actress, 33, wrote in a now-deleted tweet: "What has happened is tragic. I am heartbroken for Kobe's family. He was a sports hero. He was also a rapist. And all of these truths can exist simultaneously."

Vanessa and Kobe Bryant. [[imagecaption|| Credit: PA Images]]

However, despite the post being made over a year ago, Vanessa explained on her Instagram story on Saturday (February 27) that it has only come to her attention recently.

Over a screenshot of the original tweet, she wrote: "Your false, insensitive, defamatory and slanderous tweet on 1/26/20 is vile and disturbing to say the least.

"Behavior like this is part of the reason why innocent black men go to jail for crimes they didn't commit. An accusation doesn't make someone guilty.

"YOU DON'T KNOW THE FACTS OF THE CASE."

The 38-year-old widow also directed the same message to Abigail Disney, who tweeted at the time: "The man was a rapist. Deal with it."

An Instagram story. [[imagecaption|| Credit: Instagram / Vanessa Bryant]]

As per news.com.au, Kobe was accused of sexual assault in 2003 by a 19-year-old hotel employee in Colorado.

The case was ultimately dropped by prosecutors after she refused to testify and instead brought a civil case against the Los Angeles Laker, which was settled out of court in 2005.

Evan Rachel Wood. [[imagecaption|| Credit: PA Images]]

This incident comes after Wood named her alleged abuser, singer Marily Manson, earlier this month.

"He started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years," she claimed.

"I was brainwashed and manipulated into submission. I am done living in fear of retaliation, slander, or blackmail. I am here to expose this dangerous man and call out the many industries that have enabled him, before he ruins any more lives. I stand with the many victims who will no longer be silent."

Wood's allegations prompted a number of other women to accuse the rock singer of abuse, and he was subsequently dropped by his record label and manager.

Vanessa Bryant finally responds to Evan Rachel Wood for calling Kobe a 'rapist'