Kobe Bryant Dies In Helicopter Crash
Kobe Bryant reportedly died in a helicopter crash this morning.
According to TMZ, the NBA legend was traveling with at least three other people in his private helicopter when it went down in Calabasas. The crash ignited a brush fire and emergency personnel responded, but nobody on board survived.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed five deaths. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
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. They were on their way to the Mamba Academy for a basketball practice when the crash occurred.
On Sunday, LeBron James surpassed Kobe Bryant to become the NBA’s third-highest scorer of all time in the LA Lakers’ 108-91 defeat by the Philadelphia 76ers. Kobe had tweeted to LeBron a congratulatory message on the feat which would be his last tweet. “Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother #33644,” he said.
In the wake of the tragic news, Kobe’s fans and friends, many in the music industry, took to social media to remember the five-time NBA champion.