Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, and his 13-year-old daughter confirmed dead in Calabasas helicopter crash

Kobe Bryant & Daughter Gianna

Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter confirmed dead in Calabasas helicopter crash along with three others onboard

Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and three others were killed in the helicopter crash at around 10am Sunday. The private Sikorsky S-76 helicopter caught fire after it struck a hillside in Calabasas amid heavy fog.

Sources say it was headed to Bryant’s Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks for basketball practice. The cause of the crash is under investigation and witnesses say they heard the chopper engine ‘sputtering’

Bryant and Gianna are survived by his wife Vanessa and their three other daughters Natalia, Bianca and Capri 

Kobe Bryant

The 41-year-old basketball star spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA championships before he retired in 2016

News of his death sent shockwaves around the world as dozens of celebrities paid tribute on social media

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 Sikorsky S-76 helicopter when it crashed, killing everyone on board.

Officials with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to reports of the crash near Las Virgenes Rd and Willow Glen St in Calabasas at around 10am after a fire broke out and a group of mountain bikers spotted the smoke.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. Witnesses reported hearing the helicopter’s engine sputtering before it went down near the home of Kourtney Kardashian.

A flight plan indicated the helicopter took off from John Wayne Airport in Orange County at 9.06am PST and the last signal was received from the aircraft at 9.45am.

Sources told TMZ Bryant was headed to his Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks for basketball practice.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that another player and parent were also on the helicopter.

Source: Daily Mail