41-year-old Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine who passed away in a helicopter crash on Sunday at around 10 am in Calabasas, Calif. Bryant and his daughter were on their way to Gianna’s basketball game at Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks when the helicopter crashed. The NBA superstar and his daughter are survived by Bryant’s wife and his three other children.
Of the seven other people who were also in the accident, two were Gianna’s teammates, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester. Altobelli’s mother, Keri, and her father, John, were also both in the helicopter when it went down along with Chesters’ mother, Sarah. Christina Mauser, a school basketball assistant coach, and Ara Zobayan, the helicopter pilot, were killed, too.
The helicopter carrying Bryant and the eight others was given special permission to fly despite foggy conditions and was reported to have been flying especially low, according to CNN.
While the investigation to the cause of the crash is still underway, Bryant’s death is already being mourned by many. Several performers at the Grammys, including host Alicia Keys and opening performer Lizzo, paid tribute to Bryant through both song and words at the awards ceremony. In addition, several formal teammates and fellow athletes have expressed their sorrow over his passing, including LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
The passing of Bryant, his daughter, and the seven other people on board the helicopter will be mourned by many. And while authorities look into the cause of the crash, support from celebrities and the world is coming in for those who passed away and their families.