NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 20: Kobe Bryant promotes his book “Training Camp (The Wizenard Series #1)” at Barnes & Noble Union Square on March 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for BN)
UPDATE 01/26/2020 3:55 PM ET: Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, have died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif.
TMZ Sports reports a rep for Bryant confirmed the death of Gianna Maria Onore. The identities of the other three passengers that died in the crash have not been confirmed.
TMZ Sports also reports the helicopter was en route to the Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks, Calif. for a basketball practice.
ORIGINAL STORY
Gossip site TMZ reported that Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash this morning (January 26).
They explain that "Kobe was traveling with at least 3 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."
Variety has confirmed that Bryant died in the crash.
The crash happened in Calabasas, California.
TMZ also reports that his wife Vanessa and their four daughters were not on the helicopter at the time of the crash. Kobe was 41 years old.
