Coroner Releases Autopsy Reports for Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant and 7 Victims of Helicopter Crash
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner released autopsy reports for victims of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant and seven others in Calabasas, California, on Jan. 26.
The reports, released on Friday, come nearly four months after the crash, which also claimed the lives of 13-year-old Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, 46, 14-year-old Alyssa Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, 46, John Altobelli, 56, Christina Mauser, 38, and the helicopter's pilot Ara Zobayan, 50. On the morning of the accident, the group was on their way to a basketball game at the Mamba Sports Academy's Thousand Oaks location.
"On Jan. 28, the cause of death for all nine decedents was certified as blunt trauma. The manner of death was certified as accident," the autopsy reports state.
Previously, the Los Angeles County coroner announced their causes of deaths as "blunt trauma,” following an examination of all nine victims on Jan. 28.
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According to Zobayan's toxicology report first obtained by TMZ, "Testing did not detect the presence of alcohol or drugs of abuse." The pilot's body was tested for substances including "benzodiazepines, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, marijuana, opioids, phencyclidine, and amphetamines."
As news spread of the crash, fans around the world quickly paid tribute to the five-time NBA champion and his daughter.
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Staples Center — the arena where Bryant played most of his 20-year career — quickly served as the most prominent meeting place for fans to mourn. Thousands of people gathered outside of the arena to leave flowers, notes, basketballs and jerseys in memory of Bryant, who won five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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A public memorial for Bryant and Gianna was held on Monday, Feb. 24, a date that holds special significance for the Bryant family since Gianna wore jersey No. 2 at the Mamba Sports Academy, and Bryant wore No. 24 in the latter half of his career.
“She had the best laugh," Vanessa, 38, said during her speech at the memorial, which was billed as a celebration of life. "It was infectious, it was pure and genuine. Kobe and Gianna naturally gravitated toward each other. ”
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Vanessa paid tribute to her husband's love of fatherhood, saying, “Kobe was the MVP of girl dads, or MVD. He never left the toilet seat up. He always told the girls how beautiful and smart they are. He taught them how to be brave.”
“We loved each other with our whole beings, two perfectly imperfect people making a beautiful family and raising our sweet and amazing girls,” she said of Bryant, who she married in 2001.
Bryant and Gianna are survived by Vanessa, as well as Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, and 11-month-old Capri.
If you would like to help the families of the victims of the crash, consider donating to the Mamba on Three Fund. Contributions to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation will help support youth sports.
