The tragic crash happened on Sunday morning in Calabasas when the helicopter that was privately owned by Kobe, reportedly crashed into a hill.
The forty-one-year-old was travelling with eight others on board the aircraft, one of them being his daughter Gianna, affectionately known as Gigi.
The late NBA legend was married to Vanessa Laine and they had four girls together; Gianna Natalia, Bianca and six month old Capri.
The former LA Lakers star is famously known for using his helicopter for travelling around, dating back to when he played for the team.
He was known for commuting from Newport Beach, CA to the STAPLES Center in DTLA in his Sikorsky S-76 chopper.
Kobe talking hoops with his daughter Gigi just over a month ago. https://t.co/QmOYzWLS4A
— Willie Geist (@WillieGeist) January 26, 2020
According to TMZ, eyewitnesses heard the helicopter’s engine sputtering before it went down and flames and smoke were seen covering the scene from the wreck. The official cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
Kobe and his daughter Gianna were very close and enjoyed going to basketball games together.
Gianna was a rising basketball star, taking after her father who played for the Lakers for 20 years of his career.
A memorial has been set up outside the Staples Centre which is home to the Lakers, where he played for his career.