Update: The sheriff’s department is reporting that a total of nine people perished in the crash that killed Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
According to the Press Enterprise, Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli was also on the helicopter, along with his wife Keri and daughter Alyssa.
NBA legend Kobe Bryant died Sunday morning when his private helicopter crashed in Calabasas, TMZ reports.
The former Lakers superstar—who was only 41 years old—was traveling with at least three other people, and five have been confirmed dead. Witnesses say they heard the helicopter’s go silent before the crash. No one on board survived.
Initial reports said that Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, was not among the victims, nor were daughters Gianna, Natalia, Bianca, or Capri. TMZ subsequently updated its report to indicate that daughter Gianna, 13, was also on board.
#LIVE: Sources have told Adrian Wojnarowski that Kobe was on his way to a travel basketball game with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna when the helicopter crashed. Another player and parent were also on board. https://t.co/aRkjaKvscr
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) January 26, 2020
The cause of the crash is being investigated.
For years, Kobe Bryant’s massive, notable Sikorsky S-76 helicopter flew low over Orange County neighborhoods. So, while sipping coffee on my balcony this morning just after 9AM, I happened to film a portion of apparently what was the superstar’s final flight.
— R. Scott Moxley (@RScottMoxley) January 26, 2020
During his playing days, Bryant was known to commute from Newport Beach to the Staples Center in his Sikorsky S-76 helicopter. USA Today reports that was, in fact, the vehicle involved in the crash.
Bryant played with the Lakers for 20 years, making 18 All-Star teams and winning five NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVPs, and becoming the league MVP in 2008.
Both of Bryant’s jerseys, number 8 and 24, were retired by the Lakers in 2017, making him the only player in team history to receive that honor.
From NBATV, all @NBA games and practices today have been cancelled
— Weston Blasi (@westonblasi) January 26, 2020
The NBA has reportedly canceled all games and practices today. Just yesterday, LeBron James surpassed Kobe’s record to become the number three all-time scorer.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7xOgFjnuiO/Fans have gathered at the Staples Center to memorialize Bryant. The Grammys are scheduled to take place there later this evening.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7zDWicBN2U/
RELATED: The Kobe Factor
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