While 2020 had shocking moments, few were as shocking as the sudden deaths of Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash on January 26. Friends, family, and fans all across the world began to grieve for the immense loss of life and talent.
One year later, we look back at the victims of this crash. It’s worth taking the time to honor and remember their legacies and how they shaped the world around them.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was the most well-known victim in the helicopter crash. His legendary NBA status speaks for itself: he was an 18-time NBA All-Star and the winner of five different NBA titles.
After his death, Bryant was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. And he even took home two Olympic gold medals and received a posthumous Oscar for his work as an executive producer of the animated short Dear Basketball.
Off the court, Bryant was known as a devoted husband, father, and all-around family man. Back in November 2019, he did not mince words with Maria Shriver. He told her that, “Being a father is the thing I am most proud of in this world; it’s my greatest accomplishment.”
Bryant’s love for his children was as legendary as his NBA record. Which is what makes the next victim’s death all the more regrettable.
Gianna Bryant
Kobe Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna (known as Gigi) was among the victims of the helicopter crash. And she was more than one of Kobe’s beloved children — she was also his athletic protege.
She inherited her father’s love of basketball, especially after Kobe took Gianna to her first Lakers game. She brought his passion for basketball back to life, especially after she started making future plans to play college basketball for the University of Connecticut.
Ara Zobayan
Ara Zobayan, 50, was the pilot of the helicopter. He earned his commercial pilot’s license in 2007 and was a certified flight instructor with over 8,200 hours of flight time. Zobayan had experience flying around celebrities like Kylie Jenner and even teaching Lorenzo Lamas how to fly. Zobayan had served as a private pilot for Kobe Bryant since 2016 and the two reportedly had a friendly relationship.
With such an experienced pilot, there are questions about why the crash happened. But there is no doubt there were dangerous foggy weather conditions the day of the flight. The National Transportation Safety Board is set to release their final report on what caused the crash on February 9.
Sarah and Payton Chester
Some others on that fateful flight had different connections to Kobe Bryant. For example, 13-year-old Payton Chester was a teammate of Gianna Bryant, and they played basketball together at Harbor Day School in Newport Beach, California. Her mother Sarah Chester, 45, also died in the crash. They are survived by Sarah’s husband Chris and her 17-year-old sons Hayden and Riley.
John, Keri, and Alyssa Altobelli
Kobe Bryant wasn’t the only sports professional in the helicopter. John Altobelli, 56, was the head coach of the Orange Coast College baseball team. And in his 28 years in that position, he racked up some seriously impressive numbers. He led his team to over 700 wins, and they won four different state titles. As for John himself, he won the American Baseball Coaches Association’s 2019 ABCA/Diamond National Coaches of the Year.
Tragically, he died in the helicopter crash along with his wife Keri, 46, and their daughter Alyssa, 14, one of Gianna’s teammates. They are survived by John and Keri’s daughter Lexi and son J.J.
Christina Mauser
When it comes to great athleticism, it takes more than natural talent. It also takes teachers and mentors to help mold natural talent into a lifetime of successful habits.
Christina Mauser, 38, was an assistant coach for Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Academy team. She specialized in defense and even had an affectionate nickname: the “Mother of Defense.” Christina Mauser is survived by her husband Matt Mauser, daughters Penny and Ivy, and son Tom.