Former Los Angeles Lakers star and NBA legend Kobe Bryant has died in Calabasas following a fatal helicopter crash, according to TMZ.
Kobe was traveling with at least 4 other people in his private helicopter when it went down. A fire broke out. Emergency personnel responded, but nobody on board survived. 5 people are confirmed dead. We’re told Vanessa Bryant was not among those on board.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department posted on Twitter that five people were confirmed dead in the crash, but did not give any names.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Bryant, a Philadelphia native and Lower Merion High School product, was one of the great stars in NBA history. He won four NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played his entire 20-season pro career, including against the 76ers in 2001. He was the 2008 NBA Most Valuabe player, a 15-time All-Star and a two-time scoring champion.
In 2016, Bryant retired from the NBA, and in his final game he set yet another record for the organization.
Bryant was married to his wife Vanessa Bryant and has four children with her: Bianka, Gianna, Natalia, and Capri, their youngest child they had in June.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
This is a breaking story. It will be updated.