Kobe Bryant & his daughter have died in a helicopter crash

[Headie]

Kobe Bryant died in a helicoper crash in Calabasas Sunday morning ... TMZ Sports has confirmed.

https://imagez.tmz.com/image/1e/4by3/2020/01/26/1e77e10e628e4ccf81a8a21b40f36d3b_md.jpg

Kobe was traveling with at least 3 other people in his private helicopter when it went down. A fire broke out. Emergency personnel responded, but nobody on board survived. 5 people are confirmed dead. We're told Vanessa Bryant was not among those on board.

12:35 PM PT -- Kobe's daughter Gianna Maria Onore -- aka GiGi -- was also on board the helicopter and died in the crash ... reps for Kobe tell TMZ Sports. She was 13.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Kobe has famously used a helicopter to travel for years -- dating back to when he played for the Lakers. He was known for commuting from Newport Beach, CA to the STAPLES Center in DTLA in his Sikorsky S-76 chopper.

Kobe has recently been spotted out at NBA games with his daughter Gianna -- a rising star basketball player herself. Their youngest daughter, Capri, was just born in June 2019.

Kobe is widely considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time -- making 18 All-Star teams during his 20 year career with the Lakers. He was a first-round pick in the 1996 draft, winning 5 NBA championships, 2 NBA Finals MVPs and he was the league MVP in '08.

The Lakers famously retired both of Kobe's jerseys, number 8 and 24 ... the only player in team history to receive that honor.

https://www.tmz.com/2020/01/26/kobe-bryant-killed-dead-helicopter-crash-in-calabasas/

I'm shocked

[Amy Jade]

Omg

[Denver]

Wow

[Jessica.]

Someone just told me about this, I am shocked, he was so young

[Tony Montana]

OMG! I'm in shock!

[Crimson Dynamo]

wtf

i said to smallest boy LT today when a copter flew overhead, bloody dangerous things!

[Shaun]

D:

Huge loss to sport, that's awful

[Alf]

Sad news

RIP Kobe

[LaLaLand]

A massive loss. I was a huge fan. RIP Kobe!

[RileyH]

Omfg what?? RIP </3 :(

[Jigs]

Wow. what a shock...

RIP </3

[Cal.]

Oh my god

[Moniqua]

:(

[SherzyK]

RIP </3

[Ammi]

...it’s one of those things that you have to shake yourself to believe..incredibly tragic..

[JerseyWins]

This is sooo damn shocking & sad. Legit feel like crying right now. One of my favorites ever in NBA history and such a good guy. RIP Kobe :( :( :(

His youngest child (daughter I believe) born this past June. Just so sad :(

[Josiah.]

A tweet from the City of Calabasas (from 3:09pm ET/12:09pm PT/8:09pm GMT) confirming the news:
It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Kobe Bryant and four others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas. The aircraft went down in a remote field off Las Virgenes around 10:00 this morning. Nobody on the ground was hurt. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.

[Josiah.]

TMZ is now reporting that his daughter, Gianna Maria, was on-board the helicopter as well.

[Shaun]

1221532085476831234

[Zizu]

Have they said who the other three people were ?

Strange timing ... just a day or so after his long standing scoring record was bettered ..

I thought the worst at first but now it’s been revealed that five people lost their lives it’s clear that it was simply a terrible tragedy ..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Ammi]

TMZ is now reporting that his daughter, Gianna Maria, was on-board the helicopter as well.

...sadly this is being reported by many media now...that GiGi was with him..:sad:...

[Barry.]

Helicopters are dangerous. Poor man and his daughter, and the rest who lost their lifes.

[Jordan.]

So sad for their family. RIP.

[GiRTh]

RIP to a bona fide legend. He wasnt even retired long enough to see his own inevitable Hall of Fame induction. So tragic.

[Moniqua]

NOT his daughter too </3 :(

[bots]

I was not familiar with him, but what a horrible way to go.

[JerseyWins]

TMZ is now reporting that his daughter, Gianna Maria, was on-board the helicopter as well.
OMG :( tragic

RIP to a bona fide legend. He wasnt even retired long enough to see his own inevitable Hall of Fame induction. So tragic.
</3

[Matthew.]

So shocked by this, this is very sad news. R.I.P. </3

[Cal.]

Oh my god devastated one of his daughters was killed as well :( So shocking

[Josiah.]

Gianna "GiGi" Maria Onore was 13. Way too young.

[Tony Montana]

Not his daughter too. :sad: that's heart-breaking.

[Niamh.]

Very sad, wouldn't know much about basketball but his was a name I knew

[Epic.]

What a big name, what a big loss :( and the daughter is a tragedy too

[Headie]

Terrible to hear his daughter was on board too :( RIP

[rusticgal]

Tragic...

[Cherie]

I was not familiar with him, but what a horrible way to go.

Don’t know of him at all but a horrendous way to go RIP

[MB.]

1221557555652153344

ffs

[Brother Leon]

Absolutely devastated and in shock.

RIP Mamba.

[Alf]

MSNBC anchor, Alison Morris, could be in trouble for something she said while reporting on this.

She claims she said "Nakers" but people are claiming she said the N word.

[Eddie.]

no ****ing way to wake up like this. :bawling:

[Alf]

BBC are also facing backlash, after showing footage of LeBron James, instead of Kobe Bryant, while reporting on this.

[Headie]

1221588406557343744

Story just gets sadder and sadder :(

[arista]

MSNBC anchor, Alison Morris, could be in trouble for something she said while reporting on this.

She claims she said "Nakers" but people are claiming she said the N word.


Sack Her

[arista]

BBC are also facing backlash, after showing footage of LeBron James, instead of Kobe Bryant, while reporting on this.

1221555493484802050


Sloppy BBC Sport Team

[Ammi]

...it’s impossible to imagine the pain being gone through atm of all families of those on that helicopter...their whole worlds devastated...:sad:...I hadn’t realised that GiGi was also a rising basketball player...I read that it was she who had reignited Kobe’s passion for the game...in seeing it through her eyes, they would watch together every evening...

[Ammi]

...Lizzo honouring him in the Grammys ..(...as well as other performers...)...’This night is for Kobe..’....:love:..

[Nicky91]

RIP to all victims of the crash :(


i myself haven't followed NBA that much, but i had heard of him, being quite a legend

iqlfQNCMD-g

very touching words here from one legend to another :love:

[Alf]

I heard an entire family of three were also on board. So very tragic.

Take time to tell your loved ones just how much you love them everyday, because tomorrow can easily never come.

[Cherie]

1221588406557343744

Story just gets sadder and sadder :(

I heard an entire family of three were also on board. So very tragic.

Take time to tell your loved ones just how much you love them everyday, because tomorrow can easily never come.

do you mean this family? looks like there are family members left behind, so awful to comprehend.

[Crimson Dynamo]

do you mean this family? looks like there are family members left behind, so awful to comprehend.

looks like the older brother and youngest daughter are the only 2 left, how dreadful

[Nicky91]

yes what i read, baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri and their daughter Alyssa were also on board, same as Christina Mauser, assistent girls basketball coach at harbor day school

[user104658]

From what I've heard it was pilot error too, rather than mechanical failure. Really tragic.

[Mystic Mock]

From what I've heard it was pilot error too, rather than mechanical failure. Really tragic.

That really is tragic.

RIP to both Kobe and Gianna.

[Crimson Dynamo]

That really is tragic.

RIP to both Kobe and Gianna.

and dont forget the others Mock?

[Dogeatdog]

Really really sad news :(. RIP.

[Brother Leon]

This is really tough even 24 hours later. I didn’t even sleep tbh.

As a Celtics fan, I’ve spent years hating him on the court and rooting against him with a passion, but then when something like this happens it just puts it all in perspective. Like, who really cares about all that stuff?

The thought of those fathers on that helicopter scrambling and trying to comfort their daughters in their final moments. Gianna just being a 13 year old girl that loved her daddy so much and just wanted to follow in his footsteps and be a star basketball player.

Soul crushing.

[Gstar]

Cannot imagine what the families of the victims are going through :worry: A beyond horrific event. RIP to those we lost

[Marsh.]

This is absolutely tragic. But, heavy fog?

[Zizu]

This is really tough even 24 hours later. I didn’t even sleep tbh.



As a Celtics fan, I’ve spent years hating him on the court and rooting against him with a passion, but then when something like this happens it just puts it all in perspective. Like, who really cares about all that stuff?



The thought of those fathers on that helicopter scrambling and trying to comfort their daughters in their final moments. Gianna just being a 13 year old girl that loved her daddy so much and just wanted to follow in his footsteps and be a star basketball player.



Soul crushing.



Yes the picture you paint is so dreadful


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[Livia]

Tragic,

[Ammi]

This is really tough even 24 hours later. I didn’t even sleep tbh.

As a Celtics fan, I’ve spent years hating him on the court and rooting against him with a passion, but then when something like this happens it just puts it all in perspective. Like, who really cares about all that stuff?

The thought of those fathers on that helicopter scrambling and trying to comfort their daughters in their final moments. Gianna just being a 13 year old girl that loved her daddy so much and just wanted to follow in his footsteps and be a star basketball player.

Soul crushing.



...:hug:..

...there are some truly beautiful tributes to him...I was reading the words written by LeBron James...I won’t post the whole tribute but the last few words...’until we meet again brother...’...such beautiful thoughts that those who know him, had for him...but such a heart wrenching reason to be voicing them...:sad:...

[Ammi]

...the others who lost their lives along side Kobe and GiGi...

Mother and daughter, Sarah and 13 yr old Payton Chester...John and Keri Altobelli and their 13yr old daughter, Alyssa...Ara Zobayan, the pilot...Christina Mauser...



...there is obviously much public shock and heartbreak for fans etc because of who Kobe was...but more than anything, this is very much a personal family grief for so many...I just can’t even imagine...:sad:..

[Brother Leon]

Unsurprisingly. The game between both Los Angeles teams that was scheduled to take place tonight has been postponed.

I just don’t see how the Lakers will be able to play any time soon tbh and nor should they be expected to.

[Mystic Mock]

and dont forget the others Mock?

And them as well.

I've been a bit behind on what happened, I found out a few hours ago that there were more victims in this case.

But yes RIP to them.

[Alf]

The Lakers first game since the death of Bryant, last night. Unfortunately, they were unable to get the victory.


1223453116999372801

[Ammi]

OjfZIFlGYkQ

...‘I know at some point we’ll have a memorial ...but tonight is a celebration...’...


....so emotional..:lovedup:..

[Zizu]

Has his little skeleton been discussed in here , honestly can’t remember


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[SherzyK]

Has his little skeleton been discussed in here , honestly can’t remember


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:conf:

[Zizu]

:conf:



No idea what that means.. seriously


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[SherzyK]

Has his little skeleton been discussed in here , honestly can’t remember


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

What do you even mean by this?

[Zizu]

What do you even mean by this?



If you don’t know then maybe that’s best ..


PS
I wasn’t referring to his ‘actual’ skeleton...

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[Shaun]

2GuASKiAqDc

Made the mistake of watching this whilst away at work during the week and had to excuse myself to go and sob in the bathroom (father feelings, I guess).

[Ammi]

2GuASKiAqDc

Made the mistake of watching this whilst away at work during the week and had to excuse myself to go and sob in the bathroom (father feelings, I guess).

...:hug:..yeah I know...I started to watch some vids a few times but couldn’t get past a few moments...I haven’t really fully read Vanessa’s family words either, it’s just too emotional atm...

[Ammi]

...incredible performance by Jennifer...:worship:...

9UiHersOp_g

[Tony Montana]

What a beautiful tribute from Jennifer.

[Kazanne]

Has his little skeleton been discussed in here , honestly can’t remember


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I think I know what you mean, Zizu , its been very quiet

[Crimson Dynamo]

Has his little skeleton been discussed in here , honestly can’t remember


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

nope

:skull:

[GiRTh]

1232046894609838080

[GiRTh]

UWhViq_X000

[Headie]

Full memorial:

dfZOB0aD7xg

[Headie]

uJmiryH_5D4

[Ammi]

...:love:..I have no idea how Vanessa Bryant got through that...

[Niamh.]

I think I know what you mean, Zizu , its been very quietYeah and I wouldn't mind but he pretty much admitted it too but hey it's only rape eh? We all make mistakes :umm2:

[Nicky91]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56442432

The widow of Kobe Bryant has published the names of Los Angeles police officers who she said shared graphic photos of the scene of her husband's death in a helicopter crash last year.

Vanessa Bryant is suing the police department for negligence and invasion of privacy.

"We will refrain from trying this case in the media" the Los Angeles police chief said in response.

Basketball star Bryant died with his daughter and seven others in the crash.

On Wednesday Vanessa Bryant, 38, posted on Instagram the names of four police officers.

She says they took graphic pictures of the nine people who died in the crash close to Calabasas, California, in January last year.

She alleges that one of the officers shared with a bartender photos of Kobe Bryant's body and the others distributed "gratuitous photos of the dead children, parents, and coaches".

The Los Angeles Times newspaper reported in February last year that an internal police investigation found officers shared photos of victims' remains.

She claims the pictures, including those of her 13-year-old daughter Gianna, were taken and shared "for no reason other than morbid gossip".

Last week a judge rejected an attempt to stop publication of the officer's names, allowing Bryant to disclose them.

LA police chief Alex Villanueva responded on Twitter to Bryant's post, saying that the department would wait for a court to decide the outcome of the case.

https://twitter.com/LACoSheriff/status/1372389698165821442

Bryant alleges that at least eight officers took pictures of the crash site for their personal use, and claims that one took between 25 and 100 photos.

In February safety investigators said the helicopter pilot, Ara Zobayan, may have become disoriented in fog before the aircraft smashed into a hillside.

The US National Transportation Safety Board said the main cause of the crash was most likely the pilot's decision to keep flying in inclement conditions "which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of control".

As well as Bryant, his daughter and the pilot, those killed included two of Gianna's basketball teammates, their relatives and a coach. The group were on their way to a tournament in Thousand Oaks where Bryant had been set to coach.

The fatal crash prompted a global outpouring of support for the NBA star and his family as well as a number of lawsuits.

Mrs Bryant has also sued the estate of the pilot, Mr Zobayan, and the companies that owned and operated the helicopter for alleged negligence and wrongful death. Families of the other victims sued the helicopter companies, but not Mr Zobayan's estate.

California now has a state law prohibiting first responders from taking unauthorised pictures of people who died at the scene of an accident or crime.

[Gstar]

Between 25 and 100 photos taken by one person is plain sick, the state law they created should already be a law

[Ammi]

...what ‘personal use’ would a police officer take them for...to sell to media...?...no media would show them or publish them, surely...?...

[Ammi]

...so to show their friends...?...that’s so despicably screwed...

[Nicky91]

https://twitter.com/TMZ/status/1374967800247226369

[Nicky91]

going to be shown on National Geographic on February 12th in Air Crash Investigation, with the title ''loss of a legend''