UPdates via TMZ …
3:49pm PT — Michael Jordan has spoken on Kobe’s death, saying … “I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe’s and Gianna’s passing. Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling. I loved Kobe — he was like a little brother to me. We used to talk often, and I will miss those conversations very much.”
2:40pm PT — Officials say they believe 9 people were on board — 1 pilot and 8 passengers — and there were no survivors. Still unclear why the chopper crashed but an investigation is underway.
2:42pm PT — Authorities say responders had to hike to get to the crash scene. When they finally got to the incident site, it was clear no one survived.
2:08pm PT — Barack Obama says, “Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act.”
“To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.”
12:59pm PacificÂ
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.
Reports say they were on their way to the Mamba Academy for a basketball practice when the crash occurred. The Academy is in nearby Thousand Oaks.
12:30pm Pacific – UPdate …
Footage has emerged showing the aftermath of the helicopter crash that reportedly took the life of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and four others.
RIP Kobe
Awful news as the great Kobe Bryant killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas California #ripkobe#kobe#kobebryant#helicopter #kobecrash pic.twitter.com/sRNbT3O7P3
— MikesOffice (@office_mikes) January 26, 2020
CNN has confirmed that it was Kobe. Never imagined Kobe would ever go out like this man. If anyone can survive a chopper crash, it was him. pic.twitter.com/Gv1wqVptbt
— Vasu Kulkarni (@Vasu) January 26, 2020
Earlier we reported …
*Wow. We have HORRIBLE and shocking news to report. Kobe Bryant,41, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas Sunday morning … it has been confirmed by TMZ Sports.
The report says Bryant 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.
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, and their three daughters — Natalia, Bianca and their newborn Capri.
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