Kobe Bryant & Daughter Gianna Dies in helicopter crash

 UPDATE: It is now being reported there were nine people who died in the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant.     

Fans have gathered outside of the staples center in Los Angeles to Mourn the loss of Kobe.    

Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant have been killed in a helicopter crash around 10 am Sunday morning in Calabasas, CA according to The Los Angeles times.

 There were at least two other passengers on board at the time of the crash. Among the 5 total souls on board TMZ Sports has confirmed there are no survivors. The crash has been speculated to have been caused by a fire.

 The names of the other victims also involved in the crash as not yet been released however, it was reported the passengers were another player and their parent.

It was not immediately known that Gianna affectionately known as Gigi was also a passenger on the helicopter. This was revealed as a rep for Kobe spoke to TMZ Sports. Their destination was the Mamba Academy for a basketball practice.

The Philadelphia native was 41 at the time of this death and his daughter was 13.

Kobe had been known to used helicopters on a regular basis over the years. His preference was said to be the Sikorsky S-76 Helicopter, which he would use to fly into to Laker Games.

Kobe’s wife Vanessa Bryant as well as his three daughters Natalia, Bianca, and the couple’s youngest Capri were not among the victims.

The los Angeles Sheriff’s department is currently investigating the cause of the crash. However, it has also been speculated that the engine sputtering right before the helicopter went down may have contributed to the tragedy.

The site of the crash according to the daily mail, was behind the home of Kourtney Kardashian, with reports putting it near Las Virgenes Rd and Willow Glen street.

Kobe was renowned as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Drafted as the 13^th  pick to the Charlotte Hornets he almost immediately traded to the Lakers where he spent this entire 20 year career. He went on to win 5 NBA Championships, 2 NBA Finals MVP and League MVP in 2008.

Kobe Retired for the NBA in April of 2016. To date he is the only player in history to have both of his Jerseys numbers 8 and 24 retired by the team in 2017.

Kobe and Gianna Bryant is survived by his wife/ her mother Vanessa and three children/siblings.

This story is currently developing..