Source: Stefanie Keenan / Getty
has confirmed that 9 people lost their lives in a fatal helicopter crash in California. NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter were the first to be identified. Later, we learned the identities of the 7 others. John Altobelli (Orange Coast College baseball coach ), Keri Altobeli (John’s wife), Alyssa Altobeli (Gianna’s teammate and daughter of John and Keri), Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester (Sarah’s daughter and Gianna’s teammate), and the pilot, Ara Zobayan–were all on board the helicopter.
The group was flying to Thousand Oaks, California on Sunday, for a basketball game.
Updated: Jan. 26 at 6:53 PM
Kobe’s rep told TMZ Sports Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna Maria Onore commonly referred to GiGi was also on board the helicopter and died in the crash.
Source: Paul Bereswill / Getty
Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash at the 4200 block of Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas Sunday morning. TMZ first reported.
Kobe was 41 years old.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Kobe and GiGi Bryant were survived by his wife Vanessa, and their daughters — Natalia and Bianca and their newborn Capri.
Original Story:
TMZ reports Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas Sunday morning. TMZ has not disclosed their source of confirmation. Kobe was 41 years old.
TMZ reported a fire broke out after his private helicopter went down. They say Kobe was traveling with at least three people with 5 people confirmed dead. Reports say emergency personnel responded, but nobody on board survived. No word if Vanessa Bryant or their children were among those on board.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office took to Twitter to report, “Five people confirmed deceased, no survivors in #Calabasas helicopter crash. #LASD #Malibu deputies remain with #LA County Fire personnel. Investigation ongoing.”
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Kobe Bryant is survived by his wife Vanessa, and their four daughters — Gianna, Natalia and Bianca and their newborn Capri. The 18-time All-Star who made the All-NBA Team 15 times was born to Pamela and Joe Bryant on August 23, 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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