Kobe Bryant’s Untimely Demise

The latest major news that hit the NBA was the death of superstar Kobe Bryant. Kobe met his sudden death on 26th January 2020. He was traveling with his daughter, Gianna, alongside seven other people in a helicopter. The helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California, killing all passengers on-board. The other passengers were Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, and the pilot, Ara Zobayan.

Cause of Death

The coroner’s office reported blunt force trauma to be the cause of death for Kobe and all the other victims. The helicopter was supposed to land at the Mamba Sports Academy, where a basketball game was to be held.

Cause of Accident

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation to determine what caused the helicopter to crash. Preliminary information cited weather as the main factor that led to the accident. The aircraft is reported to have descended quite rapidly, missing the top of the hill by about 30 feet before crashing. It did not have a black box, which makes the investigations a bit difficult. According to the NTSB, the final report will be available after about one year.

Memorial Service

A memorial service for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna will be on 24th February. The date was chosen as 24 represent the jersey number that Kobe wore and 02, for February, represent the jersey number Gianna wore. The service will be at the Staples Center, which is where Kobe played for most of his career in the NBA. According to Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s wife, the services will be a celebration of life.

Kobe’s Remaining Family

Kobe Bryant has left behind his wife Vanessa Laine Bryant, to whom he was married from 2001, and three other children, Natalia Diamante, Bianka Bella, and Capri Kobe. It is still not known to the public whether he will be buried or cremated.