Kobe Bryant iconic basketball player for the LA Lakers has died in a helicopter crash. Kobe’s private helicopter that he used to use to fly to games at the Staples Center went down in Calabasas this morning. There were four other passengers on board. All perished in the crash after the aircraft caught on fire.
The other four passengers have not yet been identified.
Story developing… ( I have to go out into THE WORLD for a bit) I’ll add more details when I return.
This is a tragedy, so much sympathy for his family. He loved Disneyland. It is hitting so hard here in California. Only 41 years old. A horrible accident on a Sunday morning. Lost for words-
so SAD! He’s an icon, and he leaves behind a big family. I hope he invested wisely and that he prepared for the future for all his baby girls. I just hate to hear this.
This is another reminder that life is short and that each of us needs to use our time on this Earth well. Do the right thing, enjoy life, be kind, leave a legacy. No better time to start than now!
Well said
Yes! And have the courage to do it. If you can, honor those who came before you.
So sad.
It is reported that his oldest daughter Gigi also died in the crash.
Hoping none of his girls were on board.
This crash happened about 5 minutes from where I live. It’s been all over the news. Lots of rumors about who else may have been on board.
TMZ is saying one of his daughters was also on board. Very sad.
Terrible tragedy. Such a young guy and young family.
TMZ is saying his 13 year old daughter Gianna was on board. So incredibly sad.
Apparently his 13 year was with him. So sad for everyone involved.
I was so hoping this wasn’t true. So sad.
My heart breaks for V and their daughters. He was a good father and a great man. The sports media has been going wild with anguish for hours. We were notified by an espn reporter while at brunch with friends. I have not seen an entire restaurant go so silent
The new about Kobe Bryant is so shocking but the news about is 13 y.o. daughter (Gianna aka Gigi) being with him is simply heartbreaking ?. That poor family. Thoughts and prayers go out to all those families affected.
Agree. This is heartbreaking. Prayers for his family.
Makes all the RH stupid feuds seem so petty. Even more petty than usual.
I was going to post the same thing. Something like this really puts it all in perspective. This is just terrible.
This is just so horrifying. My heart is breaking for his family.
They were heading to his Academy where Gianna plays basketball. Another player and parent were also on board. I assume the pilot makes five.
I knew him, Vanessa, and their children. I live near them and worked at their OB-GYN. Always saw him around town and he NEVER refused a photo or quick chat. This makes me sick.
So Sorry for you loss, Jeanie.
Shit, 9 people on board!
Yep NINE people including the pilot (there may have been two pilots) perished in the crash. I am shaken up and I am not even a basketball fan, but everyone knows Kobe Bryant.
I’m not into basketball either but he’s Kobe and he grew up in Philly. Just so sad for the families.
Heartbreaking loss. Shaq and Meta World Peace were in tears. It’s a sickening loss for his family and the entire sports community. #24 forever. What a sad day at the Staples Center. Grammy night won’t be the same.
Basketball is not a sport I follow, but I know who he is. I’ve never really had a bad feeling about him and always kind of thought he was a pretty damn good guy. This is such a tragedy, I cannot imagine how his wife is feeling. I am sending all my prayers their way. Rest In Peace Kobe and Gigi.
I was worried more of his children were with him. However, the NBA sent out an official statement announcing the deaths of Kobe and Gianna so I think if there were other of his kids on the flight they would have known.
This is just tragic my 17 year old son is a real loner bless him he lives for sport and Koby is his idol he’s heartbroken:( His daughter too it’s just too sad to even comprehend how will his family get through this both of them gone just like that I can’t even:( ??? xx
Heartbreaking. Hug on your son,.
Thank you so much your so kind x
He was a hero to us here. We have lost a legacy with so many memories, watching him and being so proud of our Lakers and Gigi, no words.. Prayers to all of the families affected with their loss. God Bless them all.
I was incredibly sad to hear about Kobe. I lost my shit when I found out about Gianna. I’m a mother and wife and I cannot fucking imagine losing my husband and child at the same time. And then I think of his baby girl who will never know him.
Have not been here for awhile.
I feel so awful for Vanessa, to not only loose her husband but her first born daughter.Kobe was looking forward to spending more time with his kids and he and Gianna shared the love of basketball together. The newest daughter, Capri, was just born in June. Kobe and Magic are my two favorite basketball players. I was privileged to be present when the Lakers won their last championship with Kobe on the team, as well as being in attendance when he scored 81 points!!!!! RIP Kobe and Gianna….I am heartbroken….
Natalia is the oldest daughter, 17. I was surprised to hear they have such a young baby, she won’t have her daddy as she grows up. Very sad.
Heartbroken to hear about Kobe and his daughter. Can’t stop thinking about his wife and other 3 girls…such a terrible loss.
This keeps popping in my head. I feel so bad for his wife, it’s horrible enough loosing a husband let alone a daughter as well. I’ve been through some painful experiences in the last three years but I would think how much worse everything would be if I lost my son (my heart). That is the worst tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. So sad.
This is what I thought when I heard she lost a daughter too. I can only imagine the pain. This is a horrible, tragic loss. So sad for everyone, I heard another coach, wife and daughter were lost too? Very sad and tragic news.
Such heartbreaking news. I hope that Vanessa is going to be strong enough through her own grief to help the surviving daughters deal with theirs. They’re going to need a lot of therapy to help them through the pain and trauma of losing not only their father, but losing their sister too. Sibling grief is very traumatic and its impact is all too often overlooked with serious consequences. This poor family. Oh god, it’s just too sad. ???
I lost my only sibling to Juvenile Diabetes in 1996. It is not an easy road and many people think it’s not so bad because it’s “just a sibling”. So incredibly not true.
I’m praying for them all. What a tragic story!
Three of the other passengers include John Altobelli, award winning college baseball coach; his wife Keri; their daughter Alyssa, teammate of Gianna.
I always feel even worse for lesser known victims when they die with a well known person. So condolences to the Altobelli family.
Oh God. That poor family. Three family members. This is just such a damn tragedy. I bawled when Boyz II Men sang So Hard To Say Goodbye with Alicia Keyes. A Capella no real practice. It was beautiful.
I caught the end of that, Boyz 2 Men came out of Philly around the same time Kobe was making his mark in HS football here (early to mid-nineties). Great performance, I guess it’s too soon for One Fine Day which is good because I would have lost my shit.
I was bawling too. And my eyes are filled w tears now.. so tragic. RIP everyone on that flight 🙁
Yes, and the baseball coach and his wife leave behind two other children. God bless them.
I am a basketball fan. I have been sitting here stunned by this. I have the Knicks game on. They talked about Kobe and Gianna at the beginning of the game, then they did a 24 second moment of silence and a 24 second violation.. letting the clock run out for 24 seconds for Kobe and Gianna. MSG is lit up in purple and yellow for him. MSG has loved him here. I have been watching him since he joined the league. I’ve bought my son Kobe sneakers when he was a child. This is heartbreaking and doesn’t seem real. All the teams are paying tribute to him and his daughter today around the country. They’re playing the game, but our commentators, Walt Frazier aka Clyde and Mike Breen aren’t paying much attention, they’re talking about Kobe’s career and what a sad day it is.
The game is ending and now the crowd is chanting over and over “Kobe Bryant.”
I think it’s easy to think that celebrities are beyond something so tragic, until it happens. As a mother and wife, I cannot imagine the pain for ALL of the surviving family members involved. They were just going about their normal routines and living their everyday lives, and suddenly…it was over.
Kobe’s daughter’s team mate was on the copter with BOTH PARENTS. Horrible.
Yes and I think those parents have 2 surviving children 🙁 such a horrible Sunday.
I’m saddened his daughter, the other family and others came to such a horrific end. This is very sad for the families.
I was shocked and in disbelief when I heard the news. I’m not a basketball follower but everyone knew Kobe. I feel terrible for Vanessa, his children, and the loved ones of everyone else involved. Big prayers.
Just learned that some of the people traveling with them were a husband and wife and one of their daughters. They leave behind a son and daughter (a sister and brother). I can’t get over that TMZ and other outlets announced the news before families were informed. If those kids were teens, it is entirely possible they were home alone learning about their loved ones deaths on social media. Without any support. I also HATE that people are outside Kobe’s sports academy, where Giana’s teammates and other young teams were waiting to hear what was going on.
My family was at my grand sons birthday party when it scrolled across the tv screen. My 31 yr old son was just sitting there silently and the tears started to flow, none of us knew what was wrong. He met Kobe the day before he entered rehab 16 months ago. He has a picture of my son as his lowest and Kobe lifting him up spiritually and telling him he can do this and get clean finally! The last 16 months my son has often looked at that picture and prayed for Kobe and his family and thanked a great man for taking the time to not only take a picture but actually talk and pray with an addict. My son said he is sure there are thousands of stories like this out there of Kobe. May his family and friends and all the loved ones of those lost find peace.
@jojersey Your son is blessed and I hope he uses Kobe’s inspiration to carry him into a sober future. It’s a tough road but that is one heck of a sign.
@beetswhy Thank you! My son is 31 and is 16 months clean and sober after a 15 year addiction. For the first time in years I feel hopeful! The rehabs he was forced into didn’t help. This time, he choose to go. He wanted to get clean. I pray everyday but watching him get his 1 year chip from AA and NA will always be one of the best days of my life! Thank you!!
I’m still reeling. My son goes to Green Acres and was at his basketball playoffs at South Cobb Rec Center yesterday when the news broke. I see all the parents phones start to come out and the mood shifted, we were all trying to hold it together and be there for our boys, but we all definitely had a moment. This wasn’t just an icon for our sons but for all the coaches and anyone involved in basketball too.
I pray to God that assailed “news” outlet gets used into bankruptcy afford reporting this tragic event before the family w was notified.
I’m also praying for All of the families affected by this. I’ve been crying since I saw, and I’m not a basketball fan. But this is Beyond surreal.
** That should have read Asswipe
Please if you pray, keep everyone besides the Bryant family included in your prayers.
I wanted to update on all of the people and their families besides the Bryant’s…
Alyssa Altobelli and her parents John and Kerry were victims of the crash. They leave behind two children and two siblings, Alexis Altobelli and J.J. Altobelli. Alyssa and Gianna were in the Mamba Academy basketball team together. Alyssa’s father was an amazing coach, mentor and friend who was beloved by all, he treated all his students like family. His impact will live on forever.
Payton, Chester who played basketball was with her mom, Sarah Chester who had a son and brother, Riley Chester, he posted on instragram with Payton and Bryant laughing and having fun together. Riley wrote to the most amazing mother and sister, I love you Pay Pay and mom RIP. Payton’s principal wrote that their family was engaged, supported, encouraging, mischief and full of laughter.
Christine Mauser was assistant coach to the Mamba Academy team. Her husband Matt Mauser issued a statement to the Today show saying how doesn’t know how he is going to go on and raise their children alone at the ages of 11, 9 and 3. He said she was beautiful, smart and funny. He said she was incredibly deep and an amazing person.
Ara Zobayan was the pilot who was loved admired and respected in the aviation community. He was a dedicated pilot instructor and took his job very seriously. He also had a great sense of humor and is beloved by everyone who knew him. He was a great man.
God bless them all. Rest in Paradise. My heart and prayers go out to all.
They were all special, unique, valuable souls here on earth filled with so much love, laughter and talent.
Here in Los Angeles, everyones home town, ALL of the families have been honored. A fair amount of time has been given to each family. Matt Mauser has 3 kids to raise now. He was on GMA last week. Vanessa has set up a fund for each family through her and Kobe’s foundation.
Kobe has done 20+ Make-a-Wish greets in the last few years and always insists that there be no media. He visited a very sick Native American little boy in Arizona when they just requested a basketball from him. The little boy was named after Kobe, had a heart defect and needed a heart transplant. He asked to see him, insisted on no press and spent a couple of hours with the child passing the basketball back and forth and talking with him. After the meeting he asked if the child was receiving good care and if money could help his chances of survival. He offered to pay for anything that could help him. Sadly, given the heart defect only a transplant would help. The child died a couple weeks later. His mother said the time he spent with Kobe were the happiest of his short little life. Kobe was a true original. A fried shared this with me: “sometimes a persons soul buns so brightly, it cannot be contained in their body any longer…:
I chose to believe Kobe had a higher calling. Vanessa not only lost her husband and daughter but all of those people were her friends. The other girls were friends with Gigi and the Bianka. It just sucks all the way around.
(note I just needed a place to babble anonymously. With others who might be as FK THIS! as I feel. )
Am I the only one who is still ugly over this ? Granted being in LA means it’s 24/7right now. So that adds, for sure. A bit ago I heard a statement from a Bryant family friend (& I paraphrase) ‘Vanessa thanks all for the prayers. This has been a terrible loss and a very difficult time. She can barely speak and generally cries before getting to the end of the sentence.’ It went on to say she is trying to be strong for her girls…
The unspoken ‘but’ was so screamingly obvious. It crushed what energy I have been running on. I sat in my car and bawled for 15 min. In the middle of running between lawyers and banks and the courthouse (Corp shit) and sitting in a public parking structure where I am fairly certain homeless people go to pee, I sat n just let go.
I ugly cried.
I Snot cried.
I feel so helpless, so irrelevant. I feel ashamed that I dare feel such sorrow when those families are buried in the real grief. Am I selfishly appropriating their sadness for some narcissistic purpose ? I want to help. I want to stand on a corner and scream ‘You arent alone in this!’
But she is. They are. even worse, they know it.
Worse still, I know it.
I get annoyed when I hear ‘life is short. Blah blah blah.’ It’s BEEN short. Where the hell have ‘you’ been looking?? hug a stranger. feed a stray. Call the waitress by her name. Tell her a joke. Leave a huge tip.
With all the ‘life is short’ lessons we have never really learned, none of them make this loss any more bearable. I am mad at that
Hope you are feeling better. Sometimes a show, book, or hell, even a commercial make us cry harder than the shit we’re dealing in our own lives. Remember, straw that broke the camel’s back is a light thing relative to the overall load. I’m not a sports ball person at all. But of course, knew who Kobe was. I keep thinking though, of those teammates left behind. It is difficult to lose people to tragedy, famous or not, but those girls are THIRTEEN and they lost 3 friends at once, plus BOTH coaches (the female coach was handpicked by Kobe from his daughters’ school to come work at his Academy). I hope the Academy has grief counselors set up for them.
” I hope the Academy has grief counselors set up for them” They do….
I went to the memorial last night, took a candle and card. It is amazing how many people were there. Several thousand at 9:30 at night. LOTs of families. They are supposed to remove everything tonight, it will be boxed up and sent to Vanessa. They will compost all of the flowers and use it in and around the Staples Center. There are literally hundreds of basketballs and self made memorials. Glad Vanessa and the girls will be able to see it.