News

Kobe Bryant Killed in Helicopter Crash (UPDATE)

By Russ Joy

Published: Jan 26th, 2020 · 2:54 PM EST

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In an absolutely devastating development, TMZ Sports is reporting that Lakers great and Lower Merion graduate Kobe Bryant has died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, CA:

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.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Another level of confirmation came via ABC 7 Eyewitness News’ Sports Anchor & Reporter Curt Sandoval:

#BreakingNews
This is not a joke-Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas
Our ABC7 Desk has confirmed
#abc7eyewitness

— Curt Sandoval (@abc7curt) January 26, 2020

We’ll have more on this story as details emerge. If true, our thoughts and prayers are with the Bryant family and all those impacted by the reported loss of multiple passengers on board.

 

Update 1: Woj confirming the report:

Kobe Bryant is among those dead in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles, a source confirms to ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2020

Update 2: There are conflicting reports out there right regarding who was in the helicopter with Bryant. ABC reporter Matt Gutman originally said his four daughters were with him, but no other outlets are reporting similar news.

This was what was said on air:

https://twitter.com/RapDailyx/status/1221531606252511235?s=20

EDIT – that above tweet was deleted and ABC has corrected the report:

UPDATE: ABC News now pulling back on report that Kobe Bryant's daughters were on helicopter.

— Tisha Lewis FOX 5 DC (@TishaLewis) January 26, 2020

Also:

Can confirm former @lakers star Rick Fox WAS NOT among the passengers on the helicopter with Kobe Bryant. Source: his daughter.

— Courtney Fallon (@CourtneyFallon_) January 26, 2020

Update 3: TMZ is now reporting that one of his daughters was on the helicopter:

#BREAKING: Kobe's daughter Gianna Maria was also on board the helicopter and died in the crash https://t.co/1n7U8bvqhI

— TMZ (@TMZ) January 26, 2020

Kobe and his daughter, just this season:

https://twitter.com/joonlee/status/1221523573832945664

TMZ reporting that Kobe and his daughter were on the way to his Mama Center for a basketball tournament.

UPDATE 4: Makeshift memorial outside the Staples Center, where the Grammy’s are being held tonight:

People have started a memorial for Kobe Bryant outside the Staples Center

(via @Chiney321)pic.twitter.com/Cywy6nf6ul

— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) January 26, 2020

UPDATE 5:

Sources: Kobe Bryant was on his way to a travel basketball game with his daughter Gianna when the helicopter crashed. Those aboard the helicopter also included another player and parent.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2020

UPDATE 6:

Rockets and Nuggets hold a moment of silence to mourn Kobe Bryant's death before their game today. pic.twitter.com/IBVLABgaDN

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 26, 2020

UPDATE 7:

Outside Lower Merion High School in Ardmore PA that named gym after Kobe Bryant. Some students have already left flowers & basketball in makeshift memorial. School spokesperson set to give statement soon. @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/LPQ9Q31Ebm

— Lauren Dugan (@LaurenDuganTV) January 26, 2020

UPDATE 8:

This photo taken this morning at #KobeBryant tournament in #calabasas as the kids received the news. A youth team from Tenaya was playing in the tournament when they received the news and cancelled games. #heartbreaking pic.twitter.com/8uqbX4idvQ

— Alexan Balekian (@RealALEXAN) January 26, 2020

UPDATE 9: Raptors and Spurs each took 24-second shot clock violations at start of their game:

Remarkable moment to start the Raptors-Spurs game. pic.twitter.com/thmt9ZU1Ra

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 26, 2020

UPDATE 10:

Today's #Spurs/#Raptors game started with two 24-second violations in honor of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/Wr26KpWKSG

— John Elizondo (@johndelizondo) January 26, 2020