Kobe Bryant passes at 41 alongside 13 year old daughter

TMZ.com / Google Images 

via GIPHY

Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday morning 26th January 2020.

The 41-year-old former Los Angeles Lakers basketball star’s death was first confirmed by TMZ.

The outlet reported that Bryant was travelling with four other people – including daughter ‘Gi-Gi’ – in his private 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 10 am after a fire broke out.

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

Sources told TMZ the chopper was on its way to the Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks for basketball practice when the crash occurred, near the home of Kourtney Kardashian.

The pair recently went viral on social media.

RIP to Kobe and Gianna. What was once a meme is now a loving memory of a father and daughter. pic.twitter.com/gakXCH6AL4

— Brendan Walker @ #ProBowl 2020 (@BWalkerNFL) January 26, 2020

Read about Samson Siasia’s 2019 tragedy Here!