Kobe Bryant, the legendary NBA player, tragically died on January 26, 2020, at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. His 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others were also killed in the accident. They were en route to a youth basketball tournament at the Mamba Sports Academy.

The helicopter, a Sikorsky S-76B, encountered dense fog and low visibility. The pilot, Ara Zobayan, became disoriented after flying into thick clouds, leading to a loss of control and the fatal crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that the primary cause was pilot error, specifically the decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions.

The crash claimed the lives of all nine people on board: Kobe and Gianna Bryant; baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri, and their daughter Alyssa; basketball coach Christina Mauser; Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton; and pilot Ara Zobayan.

The tragedy prompted widespread mourning and tributes worldwide. In the aftermath, Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, filed lawsuits related to the crash and the unauthorized sharing of crash site photos. In 2023, she was awarded a $28.85 million settlement from Los Angeles County.

Kobe Bryant’s legacy continues to inspire, with ongoing tributes and remembrances honouring his contributions to basketball and his impact beyond the sport.