During the US Open in New York last year, Kobe Bryant attended so many matches with one of his daughters, and they were both obsessively watching players like Coco Gauff and Serena Williams. It was a nice moment and nice memory I have of him – being an involved father, a retired basketball player, out there supporting female athletes and doing father-daughter activities for fun. Kobe and his daughter Gigi (Gianna) were on his private helicopter today in California. The helicopter went down. There were no survivors. Kobe Bryant has passed away at the age of 41 years old. His daughter Gigi was only 13. Kobe is survived by his wife Vanessa and their three surviving daughters, Natalia, Bianca and Capri. From TMZ:
Kobe Bryant died in a helicoper crash in Calabasas Sunday morning … TMZ Sports has confirmed. 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.
Eyewitnesses also tell us that they heard the helicopter’s engine sputtering before it went down. As you can see, flames and smoke covered much of the scene from the wreck. The official cause of the crash is currently 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. KB is survived by his wife Vanessa. Together, they have four daughters — Gianna, Natalia and Bianca and their newborn Capri. Kobe and Vanessa got married in 2001 after meeting in 1999.
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. We’re told they were on their way to the Mamba Academy for a basketball practice when the crash occurred. The Academy is in nearby Thousand Oaks.
Kobe played for the LA Lakers for twenty years. He retired in 2016. He won tons of titles, championships, awards and two Olympic gold medals (Beijing and London). I feel so sorry for Vanessa, my God, to lose a husband and a child. And the remaining children… Capri is just a baby. Thoughts and prayers for everyone.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I gasped when I heard he died in a helicopter crash. My heart broke when I heard his little girl died too. Jesus how awful
I did as well. It’s just too sad. I can’t imagine how his wife and 3 surviving daughters feel. My God. My heart also goes out to Gianna’s team mate and her parent who also died in the crash, as well as the pilot. Heartbreaking.
@ME this is exactly the way I feel too! So terribly sad!
Have they said definitively if there were 5 or 9 people on board? Apparently the flight manifest said the pilot and 8 others. Is it possible the manifest differed from the actual number of occupants?
The LA Sheriff said there were nine people on board but they didn’t release any names.
Just found out their youngest Capri was born in June 2019….
Ugh. Apparently the other two besides the pilot were another parent & their kid going to the same basketball thing.
This is so messed up. 13 years old!
Ahh, me too 🙁
Ahh, me too 🙁
I went through the same emotions. It’s such a loss. RIP Kobe and Gigi!
OMG. Terrible news. Father and daughter gone. Many condolences to the family.
This so awful. What a horrible tragedy for their family. I want to cry for how awful his wife and other daughters must feel.
Poor family.
Such terrible news.
F*ck. I don’t know what to say. So incredibly sad.
The first thing I thought of was their baby….only 7 months old.
Poor Vanessa and family. My hurts for them.
Heartbreaking. RIP
Nobody is promised tomorrow, everyday is a gift.
Such a sad event.
May they rest in peace.
This is horrible. Father and daughter gone. Condolences to the family and thankfully some of Kobe’s bad episodes in his life is not in the coverage now.
I’ve been crying for hours over this. So incredibly tragic. Glad you posted something about it because there is an unbelievable amount of trolling on Twitter.
From some reports, it seems that one of Gigi’s teammates might have also been in the crash.
So. Sad.
Horrible tragedy. They were supposedly on their way to a basketball training camp. So sorry to all the families on board. The loss of a young life is painful.
It’s so awful. I felt even more sad when I heard his daughter died too. His poor family, it’s just your worst nightmare. Rest in peace x
This is just so tragic and sad, I don’t even know why it’s affecting me this much but it is. I feel so bad for Vanessa, I can’t imagine.
Same here and I was never a fan of his or the Lakers. But when I heard the news this morning I gasped. Omg poor Vanessa and the girls.
I agree that I’m not sure why it is hitting me so hard, even before the gut wrenching news her daughter was onboard. I’m not a basketball fan by any means. It’s just heart breaking to think that Vanessa thought today was just like any other day- her husband and Gianna leaving for a basketball . A kind of loss she will never get over.
It also just really hit home when I realized their 7 month old will grow up without a father.
Oh how sad this is. His poor wife, and family, there’s no words, just sadness
Way too f*cking sad.
Here in Australia, we are in shock too. My husband and I just can’t believe it. My heart breaks for Vanessa and her girls. To lose a husband, father, daughter and sister is beyond heartbreaking.
I lost my dad just before Christmas and I’m still grieving and this just hits me and I feel heartbroken all over again.
Kaiser, I love your memory of him with his girl at the tennis. That was what my dad was like. So proud of his three girls and so involved in our own sporting life. He also knew girls could do anything!
So sorry for your loss. Xx
I’m so sorry for your loss. That’s the worst time of year to lose someone imo. *hugs*
God,to lose a husband and a child at a go.the parent and child who were also on board.i’m just lost for words.praying for Vanessa,the kids and all the families involved.this a loss no one should experience
Keeping thoughts of his wife and remaining daughters in my heart. I’m feeling numb. This hits home for all of us as we realize every day is a gift and not to be taken for granted.
No words……💔
I loved watching Kobe play.
Awful news.
My condolences to his family.
I live only a short ways away from Calabasas. Everyone here is in shock that it happened just down the highway. I’ve also heard multiple people mention how foggy it was this morning.
I also live in Los Angeles and let me tell you..the whole city is mourning. This is just so tragic.
🙁 He was a legend and with daughter gone too.. Vanessa would never recover.
This is very tragic news, I feel very sorry for his family and can’t imagine what they are going through. The amount of terrible things being said on Twitter is awful, even if you don’t like Kobe at least have enough respect for his family to not comment.
I agree. When someone dies, especially unexpectedly or tragically, the adage “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all” should apply for the first couple days. Thinking of his poor daughter and his surviving family.
Formidable opponent,who knew it would end like this,we love you Kobie and his gorgeous daughter Rip
Just feel stunned. Prayers and condolences for Kobe’s family and the families of the other passengers🙏🏼
I had to re-read the news alert when it came up on my phone, I just couldn’t believe it and I was hoping I somehow read it wrong. I’m shocked! What a horrible tragedy!
Exactly me too. I’m still in shock. 41 jeez
It’s just so tragic. No words.
He really did support so many female athletes. It was so hard to hear but I also gasped when I heard about Gigi. Rip to all. I know the other family is also In hell right now. Thanks for covering it.
It really sticks in my craw that this major part of his life is just ignored in every obituary. I remember when it happened.
He admitted himself he had had extramarital encounters, he initially lied about having the encounter at all and later changed his story, he said himself he could see how she perceived the encounter as nonconsensual, her throat was covered with strangulation marks and he said he liked to choke women. Are we really at a point where we don’t believe women?
That young woman’s life and safety and health matter FAR more than a man’s reputation. If we don’t get to the point as a society where we can acknowledge that? Seriously.
I agree with everything thing you’ve said, but given the magnitude of the tragedy and other people involved, this is not the day to discuss it.
I think there is a time and place to discuss that part of his past, but first and foremost, his parents have lost a son, a wife has lost her husband and, horrifically, a child. There is a difference between engaging in hagiography and also aknowledging the magnitude of the loss for many people. His life has meaning. I also think it’s highly disrespectful to the other victims and their families for their loss to be overshadowed.
In my opinion, this is not the place for that. if you cannot find it in yourself to be sad that this man (leaving 4 daughters and a wife) has died, have some respect for his baby girl who also perished.
A wise person once said that death is the ultimate whitewash. Tragic deaths in particular create this phenomenon where all of a person’s transgressions are ignored and the person becomes sanctified instead (e.g. Michael Jackson, Bing Crosby, and countless others) . The abuse will become a mere blip in his legacy, if not entirely ignored.
I think there will be time enough for this. His little girl died with him and out of respect for HER passing (as well as the other victims), maybe we should take a moment to let the mourners mourn.
There will be a time that would be brought up but not now especially with the death of his daughter. Also the media does not want to look like they are dancing on their graves and Kobe’s death was just fate for what happened to that woman.
This is no Kavanaugh, there was a civil lawsuit and he issued an apology and they settled for an undisclosed amount. Did he not pay his debt. No one said we stopped believing women. Geez.
Sincere condolences to his family and all who loved him and Gigi.
He was not a great man but this is not a way to die. Even a-holes have families and loved ones. And his daughter and the other people in the chopper also didn’t deserve to die like that. A baby will never know her father and that’s awful.
But if his victims can sue his estate, that’s ok. But let’s talk about this later; right now, the ashes are still hot
Thanks, Karen. Want me to get the manager for you?
Every obituary????? You do realize technically they haven’t even confirmed he’s dead yet as they wait for the coroner. Plus to be that invested you would negatively comment on a celebrity hours after he most likely died with his 13 year old daughter says more about you than anything. Unless you are his alleged victim you do realize it is possible your information is wrong. Plus what kind of person are you that death isn’t enough of a punishment? Here is the best advice you’ll ever get, go call for professional help. Cause the comment borders on a real issue in your life.
That was my first reaction too. And then I learned children died. So for today, that will be my top of mind thought on this tragedy.
But I remember the physical evidence specifics that came during that time. I haven’t forgotten. They were very ugly.
I’ve actually seen it mentioned in the write ups on CNN, NY Times, and others… so I don’t think it’s being forgotten.
I support his victim, but there is a time and a place to bring it up and I don’t think this is it. Also, I think there’s an argument that he’s shown a lot of growth and character development in the past 20 years.
How nice that it was a leaping off point for his character development. If only it hadn’t come at the cost of a young woman’s bodily autonomy and dignity.
I’m all for grieving for his family and the families of the other passengers, it’s absolutely heartbreaking for them. However it’s ludicrous to pretend Kobe was a saint and I refuse to pretend his victim doesn’t exist just because it makes people feel better.
I’m with Ange on this. I thought about this all night. While of course it’s terribly sad that he died, esp with his daughter and the others, to whitewash his past is once again to glorify and elevate a credibly accused rapist. We can acknowledge the wonderful things about him, but to overlook this important part of his legacy, is deeply cruel and gaslighting for rape survivors. All that glitters is not gold…
You’re right. These people telling you ”now is not the time” fail to realize it will never ”be the time” because people idolize and worship these men no matter what and even more after death. Even if his kid hadn’t died with him everyone would still say ”now is not the time” and continue to ignore the bad things he did while only mentioning the good things.
I agree is well. I feel for his family, and the death of young people is especially heartbreaking. But let’s not dismiss and forget what he has done when discussing his life.
Sometimes the best way to support a victim is to not drag them into battles that they may not want to be in. It’s not the time because Kobe is dead, his fans are grieving, and irrationally his victim will be the outlet for their grief and anger.
The time and the place is when she wants to invite that all back into her life. If she doesn’t, then you’re effectively re-victimizing her over not liking press coverage. Nothing is going to change the discourse around Kobe’s life.
Thank you for saying this Elizabeth. I am sorry his daughter and the others died. Him? I remember the facts of the sexual assault allegation. I feel nothing for him.
But when people hail him as a supporter of women and like a God, it does need to be mentioned. Or at least equally focus on the other victims of the crash. People are upset because he is a celebrity and a basketball player. Yes it is tragic but all those people on the helicopter deserve the same tears.
I feel sad for his family and would not wish this on him but let’s not make him into a Godlike figure.
Right? A supporter of women as long as they keep quiet.
When MJ died everyone was quick to remind people of his tarnished legacy, funny how quickly a site full of women changes the tune when it’s one of our own being victimised. We are worth fighting for too.
Thanks Elizabeth, it’s a really big situation and it’s hard for anyone to speak for sexual assault victims after a terrible tragedy to a famous and beloved man.
I think it’s important to note we can feel multiple things simultaneously – just like people are multisided & complex. We can grieve for Bryant’s family and fans, and the horrific scale of loss for the other young victims and their loved ones in this terrible accident. Yet many can also spare a thought for what Bryant’s alleged rape victim and her family is going through, hearing his name and accomplishments all throughout the media after this shocking loss.
Horrible! I hope that everyone can get the support they need, especially the poor crash victim’s families if they need privacy from the tabloids etc…TMZ has been rabid in their coverage
I’m with you, Elizabeth. I feel terrible for his family and I realize that he was exceptional in his field, but the way that people actively want to discourage discussion of the fact that he was not a perfect person is very telling about our society. Propriety my ass. Nobody here knew him, and most of us are women. It boggles the mind.
I don´t understand when people say we should “wait a few days” before bringing up the fact that he was a rapist. Yes, he was a father / husband / son, but he was also a rapist. If somebody commits a crime there should be consequences, such as it being attached to his name even in death. There were as good as none for him in life. That the family of a criminal is suffering the consequenes too, is not fair to them, but that is still his fault, not the ones talking about it. The shame attached to a crime like this is meant to serve as al deterent, downplaying is not right imo.
This is so sad and shocking. My heart goes out to his wife and children. To lose a husband and your daughter, it’s unimaginable. Horrific.
I can’t say I ever really cared for Kobe Bryant but this news stunned me. I audibly gasped when I saw it on Facebook and asked my friends if they’d made a mistake. This is an undeniable tragedy. Kobe Bryant wasn’t just one of the greatest basketball players, but one of the greatest athletes ever.
It seems that he was making the most of his post-player life, winning an Academy Award and supporting young athletes, especially girls. He never got a chance to REALLY pass on his skill and experience and the world of sports is the poorer for it.
What compounds the pain is the loss of his lovely daughter. It sounds like he was a good daddy, supporting his daughter in HER love of basketball. I hope their family finds a small measure of comfort knowing that they were together.
I can’t imagine what his family is suffering right now. All I can do is pray that the outpouring of grief and love will help in some small way.
Every goodbye could be the last.
Omg, I can’t imagine losing a husband and a daughter at the same time!
I am not often stunned but this horrific tragedy truly stunned me. What a horrible death. I just pray they were dead on impact and not by the ensuing fire. RIP.
This hit me where it hurts because his daughter is the age of my younger son. I feel for Vanessa and her girls.
What horrible news. This breaks my heart to hear.
RIP
RIP.I’m not a big basketball fan but I’ve followed his career and the oscar stuff, my thoughts go to vanessa who also lost a daughter.
So tragic. He was such a legend. And his poor baby girl hé couldn’t protect. What a horrible way to go. I’m in complete shock and disbelief. I can’t process this.
Oh my god. The sheriff just said there were 9 people on board and no one survived. These poor families…
I literally gasped when I got the alert on my phone, and to learn his daughter was with him just awful. Now they’re saying they think 9 ppl were on the helicopter. Just such a senseless tragedy RIP
I was confused by “passed away”. Now I realize they died in a firey explosion. So heartbreaking and shocking.
Yes, when I hear/read “passed away” , I think of someone dying on their deathbed or otherwise peacefully in their sleep – not violent deaths like this.
Life is not all good or all bad. It’s not black and white. I truly believe that people can be changed and it’s a series of checks and balances. For all of you painting a picture of a man’s life as being “all bad” and him as a villain when I think he paid his dues, moved on, gave his time to the community, and was by all accounts a loving father and even husband in more recent years…I think it’s tremendously shortsighted and unrealistic as far as a representation of someone’s life. I will never understand that about this current movement of someone being either entirely demonized or praised. In someone’s death, especially when it’s tragic and unexpected, it’s not at all unreasonable or “whitewashing” to reflect on the good they have done, their accomplishments, and their family lives. Nobody is all good or all bad, life is more complex than that. We are human beings and it’s okay for others to mourn the loss of someone, however imperfect or not, and their daughter in a tragedy.
So true. Thanks, EM.
Agreed with every part of this.
I was just going to state that this is a good example that people are not all “good” or all “bad.” It seems he truly did a significant amount of philanthropic work. This does not overshadow his past. Both should be taken into consideration going forward with his legacy . I do believe people are redeemable and I think he may be a good example of this.
Let’s not forget this woman is not the only one who made allegations against Bryant. Also the way he and his lawyers handled the case was so terrible rape shield laws for victims were revised afterwards
I think someone said something similar about Louis ck that he was a good dad while still having assaulted women, life isn’t black and white all good or bad. Both can be true. I think we have things that are deal breakers for us but he clearly enjoyed sharing a love of sports with his daughter which says something about the type of father he was. Some parents can’t be bothered to care to spend time with their kids. This is an awful way to go for anyone. That poor girl was only 13. I can’t imagine his wife and other kids today what they’re going through. Jesus
I just got the alert on my phone. I’m sick in bed with a fever but I can’t sleep. This is just so sad. I have no words.
This is so sad. I was living in LA when the Lakers won their 2009 championship and was on a bus going to meet my now husbands best friend for the first time. I didn’t plan my travel time well and ended up in traffic, under a bridge, just as I saw the Lakers and Kobe going above me as their parade went past. Their little float was filled with so much joy and happiness, I wasn’t much of a Lakers fan, but even I got caught up in the excitment of the moment. I didn’t care that it was adding so much time to an already crazy commute. It was such an exciting experience and I was happy for them. It’s a small moment, but one that I will never forget. I am so sorry for the Bryant and Lakers family.
The worst is the children. How heartbreaking. It’s sad when adults die too of course, but at least adults can make a decision on the risks of riding in a helicopter. But the kids . . . I don’t know how families can cope with that.
I know. I feel bad about Kobe and the other adults, but I am so sad about Gianna and her 13-year-old friend. They were so young and it must have been so frightening.
This was shocking news to see. How terribly sad and tragic for the loved ones of all of those involved.
Truly sad news no matter what you think of the man, as there were maybe one maybe more young children on the flight. I saw the press conference and appreciate the restraint and the local authorities calling out TMZ .
FYI I live there and was hiking about two miles away from the crash site, at the time of the crash at 10AM. I didn’t see the crash but the fog was exceptionally heavy this am so it’s reasonable to think that it played some role. My hiking buddy and I remarked that we couldn’t even see the hills..
Whoever in the department that tipped off TMZ about this deserves a thousand papercuts and lemon juice thrown on them afterwards.
And then fired.
Agreed about TMZ. I also saw video of the crash on twitter (I exited it when I realized what it was) and was horrified at people. How could you post that?
Amen! TMZ is disgusting. Even for them they crossed a line. Some of the non-famous victim’s families likely found out bybTMZ and that is disgusting.
“I saw the press conference and appreciate the restraint and the local authorities calling out TMZ .”
Me too. I hope the families go after TMZ as they probably learned of their death via TMZ. Just gross.
This so very sad. Heart breaking. I hate helicopters. You couldn’t pay me to get on one. I feel so sad for the families. Nobody should have to lose a child. it’s unbearable grief.
Condolences to his family. Sad for everyone who died in this horrible tragedy.
Such horrible news. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain that all the families effected by this tragedy are feeling. My heart goes out to each & every one of them.
I’m a huge basketball fan and he was one of, if not, my favorite player. This is sad news. To also lose his daughter makes it difficult to even put into words how I feel. Sad isn’t even a big enough word for it, really. I pray for his family and the others on there and their families as well.
None of these families will ever be the same again. May they find solace some day. I don’t know what else to say. Just horrible!!!!
RIP. This is sad.
@sara3 I don’t believe death is a ‘punishment’ we are ALL going to die. I feel sad for Gigi’s untimely death.
My thoughts and prayers for Vanessa, her surviving daughters and the Bryant family. I was not really a Kobe (or basketball in general) fan but, as many people have said already, his death is affecting me more than I ever expected. Perhaps it’s the sudden violence of the crash, that he was a husband and father with young daughters, that one of his daughters also died or that others lost their lives as well. I lived in LA during at least part of Kobe’s Laker career he was an idol to many and truly beloved. RIP Kobe and Gigi.
This has really hit me hard. My mom passed away suddenly a couple of weeks ago, so I’m already this walking and kinda talking open wound of grief, and the thought of anyone feeling the way I do, of actually feeling grief rising in my throat, feeling like I could choke on it, is so awful to me. I don’t wish this on anyone.
I hated the Shaq-Kobe incarnation of the Lakers and I followed news coverage of his sexual assault allegation closely. But I’m still in such mourning for his family, friends, for everyone for whom he was a Michael Jordan. And my God, his daughter. God bless them.
My condolences. Sending you strength.
I’m sorry for your loss, CFY. Such a sad shock.
Omg, I’m so sorry!
I’m so sorry for your loss CFY. I lost my dad a couple of years ago and remember the first few weeks well. Please be kind to yourself. Grief is a $itch. Sending hugs.
Shocking! I just saw it on someones twit.
Omg life is so fragile. condolence to their family.
I’ll just say this about a certain incident that we’re dancing around.
It will be time when his accuser wants to invite all of that into her life again. Until then, it is not the time. You’re not doing anything for her by dragging her into a highly emotional story against her will. I cannot imagine what she and her family must be going through now knowing that all it takes is one overreaching journalist or frankly, over eager twitter celebrity to take what little peace she has and toss it upside down.
Can’t help but cry for his wife. As a mother and a wife myself…I can’t even imagine the pain she feels with each breath. My heart breaks for her and her family.
THis is a tragedy.
I’m not big on basketball but maybe it’s because as a native Southern Californian that I am taking the news with great sadness. I think what is hitting me the most is that his daughter was also killed. They seemed very close and it was sweet to watch to them bond over basketball.
Unbelievable. I will remember where I was when I learned of his passing for the rest of my life. RIP Kobe, Gigi, and the 7 other souls where were taken too soon.
This hit me harder than I thought it would and really feel for his family and for the loss of the other family on the helicopter. Just so sad.
I’m completely shocked, such a horrible tragedy all around. I feel so terrible for the Bryant family, as well as the families of the other victims of the crash. To think that they were all going to a kids basketball game… Life is so fragile and fleeting, we have to appreciate every day, good or bad.
My prays goes out to his wife, daughters and family.
This cuts deep, a tragedy.
I didn’t know his whole story. I don’t follow basketball and I went out of my way to avoid stories about him after he paid more than 3x for a “sorry” ring for his wife than he paid to a woman he admitted finally understanding that he had sexually assaulted. I was sickened by what came out about it and grieved for those who didn’t have the support to seek justice for themselves.
I can understand people bringing up the assaullt. People with good and bad motives. Some people probably feel intense pain at seeing what they perceive to be a rapist being adulated without mention of his admitted deeds. Like it didn’t happen or it didn’t matter. It happened and it mattered.
If Woody Allen or Harvey Weinstein died tomorrow and people just praised their movies, people would be equally justified in trying to balance the accounts.
The thing is, while it was a part of the story, it wasn’t the whole story – and that is admirable. It deserves to be discussed as a part of a person’s life and it might just do more good to discuss it – in conttext and in proportion to other deeds – than it would to pretend it never happened.
I’m sorry he died. I’m sorry for his wife’s awful loss. I’m sorry his daughter will not rise and feel the thrill of her own inertia and merit. These are tragic things.
“he admitted finally understanding that he had sexually assaulted”
source on when Kobe said this? i’m not finding any articles about him admitting that.
In his statement afterwards he said something like he thought it was consensual but now understands she didn’t see it that way.
In her statement she said that he made her kiss it afterwards, so let’s remember that too.
His poor wife and daughters. To lose their father and their sister, is truly horrific. My heart goes out to all the families and friends of Kobe, Gigi, and the other victims of this tragedy.
There are no words, it is truly heartbreaking.
What a horrible tragedy – for the Bryant family and all others involved.
Just horrible! My thoughts are with their family, especially Vanessa. I can’t imagine the pain she’s in right now.
RIP Kobe. I tried basketball at school because of you and sucked at it but i loved watching you play.
What a tragedy. An amazing athlete and man. I’m so sad