NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven other people died in a January 26th, 2020 helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. As with any tragedy like this, the details were unclear immediately afterward. Here are some things that have come to light since the fatal crash. There's been rampant speculation about who was aboard the helicopter with Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, but Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told CBS Sports that his department is taking precautions before revealing their names. He said:
"It'd be entirely inappropriate right now to identify anyone by name until the coroner has made an identification through their very deliberative process."
The sheriff added that,
"It would be extremely disrespectful to understand that your loved one has perished and you learn about it from TMZ."
Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and their daughter, Alyssa, were among the victims, according to ESPN. OCC Athletic Director Jason Kehler said,
"John meant so much to not only Orange Coast College, but to baseball. He truly personified what it means to be a baseball coach."
CNN reported that Christina Mauser, who coached girls' basketball at Harbor Day School in Corona Del Mar, was also on board. Her husband, Matt Mauser, wrote on Facebook:
"My kids and I are devastated. We lost our beautiful wife and mom today in a helicopter crash. Please respect our privacy. Thank you for all the well wishes; they mean so much."
CNN also reported that Todd Schmidt, principal at Harbor View Elementary School in Newport Beach, California, seemingly confirmed the identity of two other passengers onboard the fatal wreck: Sarah and Payton Chester. In a Facebook post, Schmidt wrote that Payton was a student at the school. He continued:
"This family made such a huge impact at Harbor View...they were genuine, kind-hearted, and caring...to the staff, to other families...and yes, especially to me. While the world mourns the loss of a dynamic athlete and humanitarian, I mourn the loss of two people just as important...their impact was just as meaningful, their loss will be just as keenly felt, and our hearts are just as broken."
The pilot of the helicopter has been identified by the Los Angeles Times as Ara Zobayan, who was also a flight school instructor, according to Brian Kemp, one of Zobayan's students. Kemp said:
"[Bryant] doesn't let anyone else fly him around but Ara."
Watch the video to see More Sad Details Are Emerging About Kobe's Accident.
#RIPKobe #RIPKobeBryant #KobeBryant
The other passengers | 0:19
Weather may have been a factor | 2:18
The NBA mourns | 3:40
The broader athletic community | 5:12
Obama and Trump's statements | 6:19
The Kardashians offer condolences | 7:10
The View hosts unite in grief | 8:11
Chanel West Coast was 'beyond sad' | 9:13
More celebrity reactions | 10:30
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