For Angelenos, Los Angeles Lakers fans, sports lovers, those who follow the “Mamba Mentality,” fellow girl daddies, parents, and millions of individuals from all walks of life around the world, learning that Kobe Bryant had died on January 26, 2020, is a sad memory.
Those devastated hearts were exacerbated when officials verified his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, commonly known as “Gigi,” was on the fateful aircraft, along with two of her teammates, their parents, and the pilot. There were no survivors.
That horrible day still haunts me four years later. Those who loved and knew the nine victims, on the other hand, continue to celebrate their legacies and wish to be remembered for how they lived rather than how they died.
The nine fatalities, ranging in age from 13 to 56, died far too young.
Alyssa Altobelli, 14
Alyssa was in eighth grade at Horace Ensign Intermediate School in Newport Beach.
Derek Sanders, Keri Altobelli’s brother, noted during the Altobelli family memorial service that his niece had “the most infectious laugh.”
Sammy Forbath, her childhood buddy, adding, “She always did her best to make others happy.”
John Altobelli, 56
In his 27-year tenure, he won four state championships and encouraged hundreds of Orange Coast College athletes. Some of the guys he mentored went on to play in the big leagues, notably Brandon Brennan, who is now a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.
“He’s probably my favorite head coach I’ve ever had,” Brennan stated soon after Coach Altobelli died. “He knew how to welcome any type of person or personality into his program. We had all kinds of dudes, and he knew how to bring everyone together and have fun.”
OCC sports director Jason Kehler remembers the late baseball coach for his concern for his kids.
“He genuinely embodied what it means to be a baseball coach. His dedication to the game, and more significantly, to his athletes, was unparalleled; he treated them as if they were family. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Altobelli family during this time of tragedy,” Kehler said shortly after Altobelli died.
His brother, Tony, referred to him as his childhood hero. Now, he believes it is his obligation to ensure that his brother and family are never forgotten.
Keri Altobelli, 46
Keri Altobelli was a mother of three and the leader of her family. Her brother-in-law Tony Altobelli recalled
“I’ve always described Keri as her family’s leader. John was the baseball team leader at Orange Coast College, but when he returned home, I believe he recognized who the household leader was,” he added. “She would do anything for her kids and for her family.”
Derek Sanders, Keri’s brother, characterized her as “a force…an incredibly caring person who exhibited passion” days after her death.
“The closest person in my life,” Sanders remarked of Keri Altobelli at the family’s burial service in February 2020. “She was courageous, hardworking, caring, a friend, sister, and mother.”
Gianna “Gigi” Bryant, 13.
Gianna Bryant was in eighth grade at Harbor Day School in Corona del Mar.
She inherited her father’s love of basketball and handled the strain of being Kobe Bryant’s daughter admirably. Determined to carry on her father’s basketball tradition, she hoped to play at UConn before moving on to the WNBA.
Vanessa Bryant shared a letter from Aubrey, one of Gianna’s closest friends, on Tuesday.
“My mind is continuously thinking about your lovely daughter. Her kindness and attitude motivate me to do better. You’ve undoubtedly heard this before, but if I ever have a daughter, I hope she turns out just like yours. She was lovely, compassionate, and always polite,” he wrote, adding that “she attacked each day as if it were hers to conquer.”
Trae Young and Luca Doncic were among of her favorite NBA players. In reality, the last NBA game she attended was on December 29, 2019, when the Lakers faced the Mavericks. Rob Pelinka later stated that she wanted to witness Doncic’s skills in action.
She is remembered as a gentle personality who enjoyed baking, particularly for her loved ones’ birthdays.
Fans may remember Kobe Bryant for his aggressiveness on the court and Mamba Mentality, which earned him countless awards, including five NBA titles and two Olympic gold medals. However, his gentler side as a proud #GirlDad is what he was most proud of.
His final social media messages paid tribute to LeBron James, who passed Bryant on the NBA’s all-time scoring leaders list the night before his death.
Bryant felt obligated to seize all opportunities to empower others.
Bryant’s final text messages were discovered to include one to Shareef O’Neal, the son of his former teammate Shaquille O’Neal, and one to his close friend Rob Pelinka. Shareef went through a period of uncertainty before moving to LSU from UCLA, and Bryant wanted to check on him with the words “you good?” and planned to follow up. His letter to Pelinka was about assisting the Altobelli family’s oldest daughter, Alexis, in obtaining an internship with a sports agency.
Scott Boras stepped forward and fulfilled one of Bryant’s final desires, employing her as an intern.
Last year, Kobe Bryant’s legacy was established in the heart of Hollywood. Fans may view his handprints and footprints at the TCL Chinese Theatre on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. During the unveiling ceremony, Natalia Bryant stated that their mutual love of movies led her to pursue cinema at the University of Southern California.
Last summer, Natalia Bryant threw out the ceremonial first pitch for Lakers Night at Dodger Stadium.
Payton Chester, 13.
Payton Chester was in eighth grade at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano.
She enjoyed basketball and played for both her Orange County school and Team Mamba.
During an interview with the Dana Point Times, the Chester family described Payton as having a bright personality and a strong interest in basketball. She found happiness on every floor and adored all of her teammates and instructors.”
Her brothers Hayden and Riley, as well as her father, Chris, survive her. Todd Schmidt, former principal of Harbor View Elementary School, which Payton previously attended, describes the Chester family as “engaged, supportive, encouraging, and full of mischief and laughter.”
Schmidt also complimented Payton’s parents on social media for having “the best kiddos.”
“While the world mourns the loss of a dynamic athlete and humanitarian, I mourn the loss of two equally important people,” Schmidt wrote on social media following the fatal helicopter crash. “Their impact was just as meaningful, their loss will be just as keenly felt, and our hearts are just as broken.”
Sarah Chester, 45
Sarah Chester was a mother of three (including Payton), wife, and former teacher. She also served on the board of trustees for St. Margaret’s School, which her daughter Payton attended.
Sarah and her daughter’s deaths were described as a “unimaginable loss” by St. Margaret’s in a statement issued on social media following the fatal helicopter crash.
“Sarah and Payton were the lights of our family,” the Chesters said in a statement.
The Chester family also praised her as “full of life and the glue of our family,” noting that she was a relentless supporter of her family.
Sarah’s brother, Andy George, expressed this sentiment. George teaches and coaches varsity football at La Serna High School in Whitter.
Christina Mauser (http://www.christinamauserfoundation.org)
Christina Mauser 38.
Christina Mauser was a loving wife and mother of three. She was an excellent coach with exceptional leadership abilities who was asked by Kobe Bryant to assist in coaching Team Mamba.
Mauser was a teacher at Harbor Day School.
She is survived by her husband, Matt, and their three children: Penny, Thomas, and Ivy.
To continue her legacy, her husband established the Christina Mauser Foundation to assist girls in athletics, particularly those from impoverished places.
Ara Zobayan, 50
Ara Zobayan was regarded as one of the most sought-after pilots among the rich and famous. Zobayan’s customers included Kylie Jenner and Kawhi Leonard, as well as the Bryant family. When not in the air, he was instructing wannabe pilots.
“He was born to be a pilot, and I think it’s a strange irony that he died doing what he loved,” said Gary Johnson, ACE Clearwater’s Vice President. Johnson stated that he knew Zobayan well.
Johnson also described Zobayan as a brother and source of inspiration. He described him as “a straight-up guy, really intelligent, and really focused. “In August 2022, Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant’s widow, won a lawsuit against Los Angeles County.” She was granted $16 million in damages in a lawsuit against first responders who photographed and shared photographs of her murdered husband and teen daughter at the crash site.
The Southern California county was also ordered to compensate co-plaintiff Chris Chester for $15 million in damages. The helicopter disaster claimed the lives of Chester’s wife Sarah and daughter Payton.
