Actress Evan Rachel Wood Faces Backlash for Calling Kobe Bryant a ‘Rapist’ Hours After His Death

Activist actress Evan Rachel Wood faced a backlash on Monday, after calling Kobe Bryant a “rapist” in the hours after the NBA star tragically died in a helicopter crash.

Wood was lambasted by fans who were aghast that she would bring up past accusations of rape lodged against the player just as the nation tries to come to terms with his death.

“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,” Wood tweeted Sunday only hours after the media reported the player’s death.

The Westworld star was alluding to the accusation of rape that was pressed against Bryant 17 years ago.

Back in 2003, the NBA superstar was accused of rape by a 19-year-old hotel employee who said Bryant sexually assaulted her at The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera in Colorado. Bryant ultimately faced no prosecution when the case was dropped because police found the DNA of another man in the accuser’s underwear. A civil case dragged on until 2005 when the player settled for an undisclosed amount.

But fans were incensed that Wood used her note about the player’s death to dredge up the accusations against him. The liberal actress’s Twitter feed bristled with condemnation.

Campbell Soup Exec in Hot Water After Alleged Meltdown on ‘F***ing Poor’ Customers and 3D Printed Meat, Which Campbell Denies Using

Federal Investigators Release More Information About Shocking UPS Plane Crash

Manhattan DA to retry Etan Patz’s killer after conviction in deadly 1979 kidnapping was overturned

Migrant teenagers charged in fatal stabbing of homeless man in Chicago

Muslim groups, other leaders demand Abbott rescind CAIR’s ‘terrorist’ designation: ‘Defamatory’

Rep. Swalwell sues Trump official over mortgage fraud allegations: ‘A gross abuse of power’

Roblox CEO calls child predator crisis an ‘opportunity’ amid ban of gamer who exposed groomers on platform

Miami woman allegedly slices boyfriend with machete after restaurant fight over infidelity

‘Zizian’ ringleader accuses Trump admin of transgender ‘genocide’ in courtroom tirade

DHS says four House Democrats ‘chose to stand with criminal illegal aliens’ after visiting ICE detainee

Navy sailor dies after rescuing 2 children from high surf in Hawaii waters

Parents/Grandparents Alert: Christmas AI Teddy Bears Can Teach Kids About Bondage Sex, How to Light Matches, Where to Find Knives, Pills, Plastic Bags

Fact Check: Did the Trump Administration Declare Nurses Aren’t ‘Professionals’?

NYC Council welcomes new mayor with bill that would dramatically raise salaries for city officials

Taliban vows to respond after alleged Pakistani strikes rock Afghanistan overnight

In fact, the condemnation became so heavy, by Monday afternoon Wood put her account on “protected” status so that people not already followed by the actress can no longer see them.

Despite, the move to hide her tweets, multiple outlets had already reported on the opposition she faced over her tweet.

Page Six, for instance, noted that Twitter user Catherine (Kathleen) Curtin scolded the actress, writing, “And this is where the MeToo movement has gotten out of control… attacking a man who literally just died less than 24 hours ago, with his little girl!”

Twitter user Wes Hatton, accused Wood of turning #MeToo into a joke, adding, “These things need to be taken seriously and your [sic] just looking for attention after him, and his daughter JUST died. Wow.”

Actress Kyla Pratt noted that she loves Wood’s work but slammed her for the tweet. “But this tweet? How f–king dare you?” she wrote.

For her part, Wood tried to take a step back and explain her original message

“Beloveds,” she wrote in explanation, “this was not a condemnation or a celebration. It was a reminder that everyone will have different feelings, and there is room for us all to grieve together instead of fighting, everyone has lost.”