Kobe Bryant Death Update: Officials Release Possible Cause Of Helicopter Crash

KEY POINTS

Initial report states that dense fog may have caused Kobe Bryant's helicopter crash
Police already identified other passengers who died in the crash
A Mamba Academy coach recalled the last time he saw Bryant

A report from investigators revealed that “dense fog” may have caused the helicopter crash that ended Kobe Bryant’s life.

The Bryant helicopter crash investigation is still ongoing, but initial reports claimed that the weather may have contributed to the tragedy.

According to the Los Angeles Times live updates, federal investigators are just beginning their inquiry into the cause of the helicopter crash that killed Bryant, his daughter and seven other people Sunday morning in Calabasas. The chopper appeared to slam into the hillside and burst into flames.

After searching for clues, several experts have said the weather will probably be a key part of the initial investigation.

The crash reportedly occurred as dense fog blanketed the area of the crash.

Nine people were killed in the helicopter crash which claimed the life of NBA star Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Los Angeles officials confirm. Duration:00:20 AFPTV / Battiste FENWICK

Prior to this report, it was already confirmed that former Los Angeles Lakers forward Rick Fox wasn’t included in the casualties. Fox’s stepdaughter Jillian posted a story on her social media that the former Lakers forward isn’t one of the casualties of the tragic accident that killed Bryant and his daughter, Gianna.

Police department already confirmed that there were no survivors. Latest updates stated that they have now identified some of the persons who were on board.

Among those who passed away were John Altobelli, his wife Keri and daughter Alyssa, a teammate of Gigi in the Mamba Academy.

Incredible sadness in So Cal & beyond over the loss of the Altobelli’s-onboard the chopper w #kobebryant. 13 yo Alyssa was a player on the Mambas. All 8 passengers were from #OrangeCounty headed to girls basketball tourney @cbsla #cbsla ⁦@orangecoast⁩ pic.twitter.com/L7sMzEew1G
— michele gile (@michelegiletv) January 27, 2020

John Altobelli was the head coach of the Orange Coast County Baseball Team. He has been with the team for the longest time, serving 27 years as a mentor to the school and the community.

People gather near the scene of a helicopter crash in Calabasas on Sunday, January 26, 2020 that killed 9 people including Los Angeles Laker star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna AFP / Mark RALSTON

Upon learning about Bryant’s death, Mamba Academy pupils and staff turned the facility into a makeshift memorial to honor the NBA icon’s legacy.

Bryant apparently spearheaded a basketball league in which he was scheduled to coach Sunday. Anthony Nolen , one of the other coaches in the “Mamba Cup” recalled the last time he saw Bryant inside the court.

“They were down by 10 at the time. Kobe being Kobe, he wasn’t screaming at the refs, he wasn’t screaming at the players. He was poised. Him being down by 10, he was upset but as usual, he gave the other coach a Kobe stare to ensure him, you could beat me now as a team but not one on one,” Nolen recalled.

Despite ending his life through a helicopter crash, Bryant had developed a love in flying his own chopper. Back in 2009, Bryant admitted that he liked to charter a chopper to travel the 49 miles from his home to the Staples Center