Kobe Bryant’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Blunt Trauma’ Killed Him & Eight Others In Helicopter Crash
Jan. 30 2020, Published 5:23 a.m. ET
Kobe Bryant’s cause of death was revealed as “blunt trauma,” the coroner said late Wednesday night as they confirmed that all nine victims of the deadly helicopter crash had been identified.
“Through the use of DNA and fingerprints, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner has identified all nine of the victims who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday,” the statement released on January 29 said.
“On Tuesday body examinations were performed on all nine decedents. Their causes of death were certified as blunt trauma. The manner of death was certified as accident,” the coroner’s office revealed about the victims of the January 26 helicopter crash into the mountainside in Calabasas, Calif.
“Following round-the-clock testing and analysis of DNA, the department officially identified the five other occupants in the helicopter crash and notified their legal next of kin," the coroner's office confirmed.
Gianna Bryant, 13, Payton Chester, 13, Alyssa Altobelli, 14, Keri Altobelli, 46, and Christina Mauser, 38, were listed as the final five victims identified in the deadly crash that took place on January 26.
RadarOnline.com readers know Kobe, 41, John Altobelli, 56, Sarah Chester, 45, and pilot Ara Zobayan, 50, were identified “through fingerprints.”
Vanessa Bryant posted a heartbreaking message about her loss shortly before the coroner’s office revealed the cause of death of her husband, daughter and the seven other victims.
“We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe — the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna — a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri,” Vanessa wrote on her Instagram page, which had grown to 5.7 million followers by January 29.
“We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately,” she said about the four other families who lost relatives in the crash.
“There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now,” the grieving mom wrote.
Scroll through the gallery for details about Kobe, Gianna and the seven victims of the fatal helicopter crash.
Mother Daughter Bond
Sarah Chester’s daughter, Payton, played with Gianna on their basketball team, the Mamba Lady Mavericks. They were both killed in the deadly accident. Payton's remains were identified on January 29.
Family Tragedy
John Altobelli, his wife Keri and their teen daughter Alyssa perished in the fiery helicopter crash. He was a beloved coach at Orange Coast College who frequently flew to basketball games for their daughters with Kobe. Alyssa and Keri were identified by the coroner on January 29.
The Pilot
Ara Zobayan had a second class certificate dated July 2019 with 8,200 hours of flight time logged. Out of that, the pilot had 1,250 hrs flight time on the S76 helicopter. He’d also been with the company for 10 years.
Christina Mauser
Basketball coach Christina Mauser left behind a husband and three children. The beloved instructor worked at Kobe’s Mamba Academy and was a girls’ basketball coach at the private elementary Harbor Day School in Newport Beach where Gianna was a student. Her husband, Matt Mauser, confirmed the death with a simple message on Facebook: “My kids and I are devastated. We lost our beautiful wife and mom today in a helicopter crash.”
Mom’s Love
“I take comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved,” Vanessa wrote about her husband and daughter. “We were so incredibly blessed to have them in our lives. I wish they were here with us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon.” Gianna, 13, was identified by the coroner's office on January 29.
Crash Details
National Transportation Safety Board member Jennifer Homendy continued at a news conference Monday afternoon: “We know the helicopter was at 2,300 feet before it lost communication with Air Traffic Control. The decent rate of the helicopter was over 2,000 feet per minute. So, we know this was a high energy impact crash and the helicopter was in a descending left back.”
Investigation Update
The NTSB said they would issue preliminary report within 10 days of the accident with factual information, but that would not contain information on analysis, cause of crash, or safety recommendations. They plan to release a final report within 12 to 18 months, which will include probable cause.
Preliminary Report
The NTSB said they would issue preliminary report within 10 days of the accident with factual information, but that would not contain information on analysis, cause of crash, or safety recommendations. They plan to release a final report within 12 to 18 months, which will include probable cause.
Daddy’s Girl
Kobe was a fervent supporter of Gianna’s love for basketball, coaching her team and encouraging her to follow in his footsteps.