UPDATE: All Nine Victims In Horrific California Crash Identified
All nine victims aboard the helicopter that crashed in Calabasas on Sunday have all been identified. As we previously reported, 41-year-old NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were the first confirmed victims of the tragic crash. Among those killed were sports coaches, parents along with teenage peers of Bryant’s basketball star daughter. According to The Daily Mail, the group was reportedly traveling to Bryant’s Mamba Academy for a practice session when the helicopter had gone down.
We noted that John Altobelli, a well-respected baseball coach at Orange Coast College, his wife Keri and their daughter Alyssa and basketball coach Christina Mauser were later confirmed as the other passengers who perished during the incident as well. It was recently reported that Sarah Chester and her teen daughter Payton were also killed when the Sikorsky S-76 flew into the hillside and burst into flames. The report also identified Ara Zobayan, the pilot who also sadly died in the morning incident. TMZ reports that heavy fog is said to be the cause of the tragic incident. However, while the crash is being investigated, loved ones of the victims can only focus on the memories they have left as they try to push forward.
The husband of Christina Mauser, the basketball coach who also worked at the Mamba Academy, said:
“My kids and I are devastated. We lost our beautiful wife and mom today in a helicopter crash.” Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton were tempered as ‘two gorgeous human beings” by Todd Schmidt, the school principal at Harbor View Elementary.
Jared Yochim, a friend of the pilot also shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, writing:
“The pilot flying Kobe and crew today was my friend Ara Zobayan (white shirt and tie). Many of my friends were actually friends with Ara and not just pilot,” The Daily Mail quotes.
Celebrity and sports fans have been pouring in tributes to Kobe and his daughter all over social media. Many have also been sending condolences and prayers to his family.
We will continue to keep you updated on this story when more details have been shared.
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