by: @Samaya.Rn
The nation is still in mourning today after news spread surrounding the untimely death of NBA legend, Kobe Bryant’s death, early Sunday morning.
Kobe was 1 of 9 passengers aboard a private helicopter flight destined for his Mamba Sports Academy in Newbury Park, CA, where his daughter, 13-year old– Gianna “Gigi” Onore was scheduled to play in a basketball game. Gigi was also one of the nine killed in the accident.
According to reports, thick fog is the alleged cause of the misfortune with weather conditions causing the pilot to have visual difficulties. Air radars showed the aircraft circling over the Glendale, CA area for over fifteen minutes before turning around toward the mountainous terrain. The tracking ends at the Calabasas crash site.
Among 41-year old, Bryant and his daughter, Gigi, were seven other passengers who were headed to the Academy event.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
John Altobelli, a highly noted baseball coach at Orange Coast College, was onboard with his wife & daughter, Keri, and Alyssa Altobelli. John also managed Yankee player, Aaron Judge, according to CBS Boston. Alyssa played on the same team with Gianna.⠀⠀
Tijuana Dogs singer, Matt Mauser’s wife, Christina Mauser, was also among those killed on board. Christina was the girl’s basketball coach at the Harbor Day School in Newport Beach, where Kobe’s daughter attended school.
Gianna’s other teammate, Payton Chester, and her mom perished as well.
13-year commercial pilot, Ara Zobayan, who was very respected in the aviation community, lost his life, too. According to the FAA, Zobayan received his commercial pilot license in 2007.
Investigators are still sorting out the details of the case as this story develops. It is known that the fog was so dense, Los Angeles air support had been suspended.
