Kobe Bryant helicopter crash: What we know about the victims

CALABASAS, Calif. — NBA icon Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, aka Gigi, were among nine people killed in a Southern California helicopter crash Sunday.

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Kobe Bryant memorials Orlando Magic fans hold up signs honoring Kobe Bryant during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

The passengers were headed to a basketball game featuring Gianna’s Mamba Academy team and Bryant as coach, according to CNN.

Although police have not released the victims’ names, news outlets have identified the seven others who died in the incident. Here is what we know about them:

John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli

Orange Coast College released a statement confirming that head baseball coach John Altobelli, 56; his wife, Keri; and daughter, Alyssa, had died in Sunday’s crash.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Orange Coast College head baseball coach John Altobelli,” the statement began. “He was a coach, a colleague, a mentor and a friend at OCC for 27 years.”

The college’s president, Angelica Suarez, said the community’s “hearts are broken.”

“Coach Altobelli was a giant on our campus – a beloved teacher, coach, colleague and friend," her statement read. “This is a tremendous loss for our campus community.”

Alyssa and Gianna were on the same basketball team, CNN reported.

Christina Mauser

An assistant basketball coach at a Southern California private school was on board the helicopter, as well, CNN reported.

Christina Mauser, who worked at Harbor Day School, leaves behind her husband, Matt, and their children.”My kids and I are devastated," Matt Mauser wrote in a Facebook post. “We lost our beautiful wife and mom today in a helicopter crash. Please respect our privacy. Thank you for all the well wishes they mean so much.”

Sarah and Payton Chester

Two other crash victims were identified as Sarah and Payton Chester, KCBS reported.

Payton, who was Sarah’s daughter, previously attended Harbor View Elementary School, “Entertainment Tonight” reported.

The school’s principal, Todd Schmidt, paid tribute to the pair in a Facebook post.

“As a principal, we work with some amazing families...the Chesters were one of those...engaged, supportive, encouraging, and full of mischief and laughter...and they had the best kiddos!” he wrote.

Ara Zobayan

Ara Zobayan, the helicopter’s “instrument-rated pilot,” also died in the crash, KSWB reported.

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