Remains of Kobe Bryant, Other Victims of Helicopter Crash Released to Families
According to the coroner's office, the remains of all nine victims were released to their families.
By City News Service •
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From top-left, clockwise: Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, Christina Mauser, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli and pilot Ara Zobayan, died on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, after the helicopter they traveled in crashed in Los Angeles.
The remains of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were released by the coroner's office Monday along with those of the seven others killed in the helicopter crash in Calabasas last week.
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Two court-side seats were left open in memory of Kobe and Gianna Bryant at the first Lakers game since the father and daughter were killed in a helicopter crash.
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Every seat at Staples Center was draped with a Bryant T-shirt during their first game since the Lakers legend’s death.
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Anthony Davis ahead of the Lakers’ first game since the death of franchise legend Kobe Bryant.
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Usher sings “Amazing Grace” ahead of the Lakers’ first game since the death of Kobe Bryant.
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LeBron James honored Kobe Bryant in front of thousands at Staples Center with a touching tribute.
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Fans pay respects to Kobe Bryant at a vigil outside Staples Center ahead of a tribute planned in honor of the basketball star and the eight other victims of a helicopter crash.
Shahan Ahmed
Fans pay respects to Kobe Bryant at a vigil outside Staples Center ahead of a tribute planned in honor of the basketball star and the eight other victims of a helicopter crash.
According to the coroner's office, the remains of all nine victims were released to their families.
In addition to Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter, killed in the crash were: -- Ara Zobayan, 50, the instrument-rated pilot who was flying the helicopter; -- John Altobelli, 56, the longtime baseball coach at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, along with his 46-year-old wife, Keri, and their 14-year-old daughter Alyssa, a teammate of Gianna; -- Sarah Chester, 45, and her 13-year-old daughter Payton, who also played with Gianna and Alyssa; and -- Christina Mauser, 38, an assistant coach to Bryant on the Mamba Sports Academy team.
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From top-left, clockwise: Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, Christina Mauser, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli and pilot Ara Zobayan, died on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, after the helicopter they traveled in crashed in Los Angeles.
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Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers leaves the court after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 14, 2014 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bryant passed Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list with a free throw during the second quarter.
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ORLANDO, FL – JUNE 14: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles with his wife Vanessa and his daughters Natalia and Gianna after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 14, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. Kobe and Gianna tragically died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, Jan. 26, 2020. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks during the post game news conference with daughters Natalia and Gianna Bryant as he celebrates after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 83-79 in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 29: Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center on November 17, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
OCC
This undated photo released by Orange Coast College shows its head baseball coach John Altobelli. The Altobelli family has confirmed that John Altobelli, his wife Keri and daughter Alyssa were among those killed in the helicopter crash with NBA icon Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in Calabasas, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Alyssa played on the same team as Gianna, said Altobelli’s brother Tony, who is the sports information director at the school. (Orange Coast College via AP)
John Altobelli, Wife Keri and Daughter Alyssa Just as Bryant was passionate about basketball, John Altobelli had a deep love for the game of baseball. He coached at Orange Coast College. He was with the program for 27 years, leading the Pirates to four state titles en route to more than 700 career wins. Last year, he was the American Baseball Coaches Association as an ABCA/Diamond National Coach of the Year. Wife Keri and daughter Alyssa also were killed in Sunday's crash.
Family Photo
Payton played basketball with Bryant's daughter Gianna. Family members said she loved playing the game and described Sarah as the heart of their family.
Courtesy of Margaret Bray
Ara Zobayan, described as an experienced instructor and charter pilot who had flown celebrities like Kylie Jenner and her niece Dream and Lorenzo Lamas, was at the helm of the helicopter as it traveled to Newbury Park where the girls aboard were to have a basketball tournament at the Mamba Sports Academy. He and all aboard, including Kobe Bryant and his daughter, perished in the crash Jan. 26, 2020.
Christina Mauser was a girls basketball coach at a nearby private elementary school. She is survived by her husband, who founded a popular Orange County band, and three young children. Her husband said she worked with Bryant at a clinic at Mamba Sports Academy.
