Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday morning. The 41-year-old former Los Angeles Lakers basketball star’s death was first confirmed by TMZ.
The outlet reported that Bryant was traveling with four other people – including daughter ‘Gi-Gi’ – in his private helicopter when it crashed, killing everyone on board.
Sources told TMZ the chopper was on its way to Bryant’s Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks for basketball practice.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that another player and parent were also on the helicopter.
Kobe and Gianna are survived by his wife Vanessa and their three other daughters – Natalia, Bianca and Capri, who was born last summer.
News of the NBA legend’s death sent shockwaves in the sports world and beyond as dozens of celebrities paid tribute on social media.
Bryant was widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Bryant was believed to be flying in the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter he’d used to travel for years. He is seen preparing to board the private chopper in Los Angeles in April 2013