Helicopter crash: Kobe Bryant’s body identified by fingerprints

Medical examiners identified the body of National Basketball Association star Kobe Bryant after recovering the remains of all nine people who died in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles, officials said. Bryant’s body was officially identified along with three others using fingerprints, two days after their helicopter crashed into a rugged hillside northwest of the city. Federal investigators finished their inspection of the crash site, handing it over to local authorities. “We are done on the site,” said Jennifer Homendy, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board. Images showed investigators earlier flying drones over the accident site and manually combing through twisted, charred wreckage of the helicopter, which was scattered over a wide area. Officials also used drones to replicate the helicopter’s final, fateful flight path, Homendy said. Earlier on Tuesday, the coroner’s office confirmed that all nine bodies had been retrieved from the site and “transported to the department’s forensic science centre” for examination. The bodies of the pilot Ara Zobayan, baseball coach John Altobelli and Sarah Chester have also been identified. The remaining five – including Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna – have not yet been officially identified. The death of Bryant – a five-time NBA champion for the Los Angeles Lakers and two-time Olympic gold medallist – has shocked the world, with tributes continuing to pour in. Bryant, 41, was travelling with Gianna and seven other passengers and crew on Sunday when the Sikorsky S-76 slammed into a hillside in thick fog in Calabasas, northwest of Los Angeles. Pilot’s final radio message before helicopter crash killed Kobe Bryant The helicopter was headed to Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California, where his daughter was set to play in a game. Homendy described the accident as a “high energy impact crash,” having earlier labelled the crash scene as “pretty devastating”. Homendy said the helicopter did not have a “terrain awareness and warning system” installed. The NTSB in 2004 had recommended to federal aviation authorities that the system be required on all helicopters with six or more passenger seats, but the recommendation was not adopted, she added. Investigators airlifted the helicopter’s wreckage onto trucks, which then transported it to a secure location for further examination. China’s love for Kobe Bryant shows other sports how to follow in his footsteps An iPad, mobile phone and maintenance records were found among the wreckage, along with “everything we would expect would be on the aircraft”, said Homendy. She told reporters that the probable cause for the accident might not be confirmed for 12 to 18 months, when a final report will be issued. A preliminary report is expected in 10 days. The other passengers on the flight – who have not yet been officially identified – have been named as Altobelli’s wife Keri, and their daughter Alyssa, who played basketball at the same club as Gianna. Christina Mauser, an assistant coach of the Mamba girls’ basketball team, was also killed, along with Payton Chester, Sarah’s daughter. Mourning fans on Tuesday placed bouquets of flowers at a makeshift memorial outside the gated community in Newport Beach, south of Los Angeles, where Bryant lived. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said that a tribute to Bryant would be included in next month’s Oscars awards telecast. The star, who won an Academy Award in 2018 for the animated short film Dear Basketball, was remembered with a moment’s silence at the Oscars nominees lunch on Monday. A petition for the NBA logo to be redesigned with Bryant’s likeness had reached two million signatures by Tuesday afternoon. The NBA postponed Tuesday night’s Lakers game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Basketball superstar LeBron James said he was “heartbroken and devastated” over Bryant’s death in an emotional Instagram post, while also vowing to continue his friend’s championship legacy with the Lakers. View this post on Instagram I’m Not Ready but here I go. Man I sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had! I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA. Didn’t think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we’d have. WTF!! I’m heartbroken and devastated my brother!! . Man I love you big bro. My heart goes to Vanessa and the kids. I promise you I’ll continue your legacy man! You mean so much to us all here especially #LakerNation and it’s my responsibility to put this shit on my back and keep it going!! Please give me the strength from the heavens above and watch over me! I got US here! There’s so much more I want to say but just can’t right now because I can’t get through it! Until we meet again my brother!! #Mamba4Life️ #Gigi4Life️ A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Jan 27, 2020 at 6:43pm PST With the crash site becoming a pilgrimage point for fans, police on horseback and all-terrain vehicles have been brought in to secure the area. Additional reporting by Tribune News Service