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UPDATE: Kobe Bryant & daughter dead in helicopter crash

-both among 9 believed to have perish onboard Bryant's private helicopter
New information coming into Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) is that the daughter of NBA legend, Kobe B. Bryant also perished alongside her father is the deadly California helicopter crash that claimed the lives of at least 5 people. Photo: Internet Source
US President, Donald J. Trump was one of the first world leaders reacting to the tragic news, tweeting 'Reports are that basketball great Kobe Bryant and three others have been killed in a helicopter crash in California. That is terrible news!' Photo: Twitter
US President, Donald J. Trump was one of the first world leaders reacting to the tragic news, tweeting 'Reports are that basketball great Kobe Bryant and three others have been killed in a helicopter crash in California. That is terrible news!' Photo: Twitter
Crowds of fans are already gathering at Staples Center in the US, the home court of the Los Angeles Lakers, the team Bryant played 20 years for before retiring. Photo: TMZ Sports
Crowds of fans are already gathering at Staples Center in the US, the home court of the Los Angeles Lakers, the team Bryant played 20 years for before retiring. Photo: TMZ Sports
41-year-old NBA superstar and legend, Kobe B. Bryant has died suddenly today, Sunday, January 26, 2020, in a California helicopter crash, reports indicate. Photo: Internet Source
41-year-old NBA superstar and legend, Kobe B. Bryant has died suddenly today, Sunday, January 26, 2020, in a California helicopter crash, reports indicate. Photo: Internet Source
An 18-time NBA All-Star who played for the LA Lakers, Bryant was widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. Photo: ESPN
An 18-time NBA All-Star who played for the LA Lakers, Bryant was widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. Photo: ESPN
CALIFORNIA, USA - New information coming into Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) is that the daughter of NBA legend, Kobe B. Bryant also perished alongside her father in the deadly California helicopter crash that claimed the lives of at least 9 people.

Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna M. Bryant aka 'Gigi', was also on board the private helicopter when it went down on Sunday, reps for the former basketball player told TMZ Sports.

Sources say they were on their way to the 'Mamba Academy' for a basketball practice when the crash occurred. 

CNN reported that after the crash, emergency personnel responded but no one on board survived. Initial reports indicated that five persons were on the flight, however, California police in a live press conference, said they believed nine persons perished based on flight information. 

President Trump Reacts

US President, Donald J. Trump was one of the first world leaders reacting to the tragic news, tweeting "Reports are that basketball great Kobe Bryant and three others have been killed in a helicopter crash in California. That is terrible news!"

Several other celebrities including, Edris Elba, Trevor Noah & Reese Witherspoon paid homage to the fallen NBA legend with tweets detailing their shock at the tragic news.

According to Witherspoon, "Just devastated to hear about #KobeBryant. An extraordinary athlete, and a genuinely kind, wonderful man. Sending love, prayers & compassion to his family. To his entire @NBA family as well."

Musician Paula Abdul said in a tweet on Sunday afternoon, "I am completely speechless and devastated at the unexpected passing of my dear friend, @kobebryant."

She continued, "Kobe had a big heart and an even bigger love for the community of Los Angeles. Through his foundation, he changed the lives of so many people and families with his wife, Vanessa."

Fans gather @ Staples Centre 

Crowds of fans are already gathering at the Staples Center in the US, the home court of the Los Angeles Lakers, the team Bryant played 20 years for before retiring.

The arena is hosting the Grammy Awards tonight, which means the scene could become chaotic as more stars and athletes arrive for music's biggest night. 

More details to come as the story develops.

See previous story published today, January 26, 2020

NBA Legend Kobe Bryant killed in helicopter crash

-Five people confirmed dead in California crash 

CALIFORNIA, USA - 41-year-old NBA superstar and legend, Kobe B. Bryant died today, January 26, 2020, in a California helicopter crash, reports indicate no survivors.

Bryant was allegedly travelling in his own private helicopter when it crashed and at least four other people were killed in the accident, with investigators now trying to determine the cause of the crash.

According to TMZ Sports, the crash occurred around 10 a.m. local time amid foggy conditions in the hills overlooking Calabasas, in California.

The chopper sparking a brush fire on impact that hampered initial rescue efforts, the LA Times indicated.

Kobe's wife, Vanessa Bryant, was not among those aboard the chopper, according to reports.

NBA All-Star player  

An 18-time NBA All-Star who played for the LA Lakers, Bryant was widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all-time.

He was voted the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2008 and went on to win two gold medals with the USA Men’s Basketball team in 2008 and 2012. In 2018, Bryant won an Academy Award for his short film, “Dear Basketball.”

He is also survived by the couple’s four daughters, with the youngest born just last June.

Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) will bring more information as it becomes available. 

28 Responses to “UPDATE: Kobe Bryant & daughter dead in helicopter crash”

  • Nice (26/01/2020, 16:26) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad news!
    • True (27/01/2020, 13:47) Like (0) Dislike (12) Reply
      It’s sad that these people have died but to be honest I’ve never heard of the basketball player before. Condolences to all who passed.
  • OMG (26/01/2020, 16:29) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Incredible, at 41! Salute to One of the greatest basketball player....
  • Tragic (26/01/2020, 16:34) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is such terrible news. He was still so young. Brings back tragic memories of the death of singer Aliyah who died in a plane crash in the Bahamas some years ago.
  • 2 grand (26/01/2020, 16:38) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    tears tears the black mamba is no more life is short live eat drink and be merry
  • not so (26/01/2020, 16:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Say this ain't true, omg I cannot believe it.
  • The TRUTH (26/01/2020, 16:47) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    RIP Mamba. Thanks for the memories.
  • musa (26/01/2020, 16:49) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Very sad our prayers with his family members. ,may his soul be with God.
  • cgb (26/01/2020, 16:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What????? Is this a sick joke.
  • Lord (26/01/2020, 17:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    My God My God. My God. Lord have mercy... So so sad. I'm waiting to hear exactly what happened to that Helicopter...
  • Give credit vino (26/01/2020, 17:48) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    Vino why do you not credit Associated Press or your source for the news feed?
    • blind bat (26/01/2020, 18:08) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      It was TMZ who reported on it first today because I thought it was fake news. I saw tmz in the credits and also cnn there.
  • OMG (26/01/2020, 17:55) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    My heart is bleeding for this family, the pain they must be going through... a father and a daughter? this is too much.
  • BVIslanderNYC (26/01/2020, 18:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is like dead calm in NYC. People just can’t process this news. And his oldest daughter to?
  • terrible (26/01/2020, 18:16) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Even before the news hit the website, my daughter texted me from the States and I texted back and ask her if she was sure about this. I’m in total shock.
  • wow (26/01/2020, 18:37) Like (68) Dislike (35) Reply

    While you cry and look to the right the elites are laughing and putting in work on the left

    The elites do this same s**t over and over again and it works, take our attention and shift it somewhere else while they make a mess of this world

    These guys already sold their souls, no coincidence why they killed his daughter at age 13 that’s their favorite number

    How do we even know he was in there ? What are they taking our focus off of this time ? Is it the virus

    Come on guys these things are always connected think outside the box sometimes most of the guys one the mainstream are puppets

    • Guest (26/01/2020, 19:27) Like (15) Dislike (8) Reply
      You are literally the embodiment of the small world ignorance that permeates these small islands.
    • @SMH (26/01/2020, 20:10) Like (30) Dislike (2) Reply
      You don't have to look outside BVI. A number of people in BVI do the same thing. They have already, literally, sold their souls to the Devil.
    • are you kidding (26/01/2020, 21:46) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
      This is a SICK response to story about a family’s tragedy. And the fact that 33 (and counting?) people “liked” it, that’s pretty freakin’ sick too. WTF people?!?!
  • 123 (26/01/2020, 19:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow!
  • wise up (26/01/2020, 19:24) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    @SMH Well said and it’s something to think about was my taught when I saw it but who know knows,money and fame having millions and can’t enjoy or should I say for a moment only,it’s so much to say but RIP CHAMP
  • Fan (26/01/2020, 21:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rest In Peace kobe
  • Hmmmm (26/01/2020, 22:08) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    I wonder what cause that big brawl inside that brought it down. ?
  • Maybe this will help (26/01/2020, 23:08) Like (23) Dislike (4) Reply
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zXMt1sXxbAI
  • suspicious (27/01/2020, 07:19) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    There are instruments that can navigate through the thickest of fog so this leaves me to wonder what really transpired in that helicopter we may never know the answer.
  • wise up (27/01/2020, 08:28) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    Ok Kobe was a great player but why aren’t we posting about 30 plus soldiers that dies yesterday in the helicopter crash too in Afghan and Iraq the have families too, this WORLD HMM
  • usa (27/01/2020, 08:37) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    There is so many unanswered questions behind this. You would think that a man that is worth 323 million dollars private helicopter would be in tip top shape. For some reason rich people always go down in plane crashes. Really sad.


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