The world is in mourning after the shocking death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant in a tragic helicopter accident that claimed the lives of nine, including Kobe and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, also called Gigi.
Kobe was just 41 years old.
His daughter, Gigi, was an accomplished young basketball player herself who had been on teams coached by her father over the years. The passengers in the helicopter were on their way to a basketball game at Bryant’s Mamba Academy.
“My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time,” Vanessa Bryant wrote on her Instagram after the accident.
“Thank you for all the prayers. We definitely need them,” she continued . “We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe — the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna — a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.”
“We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately.”
“There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now. I take comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved,” she shared.
“We were so incredibly blessed to have them in our lives.”
“I wish they were here with us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon,” she shared. “Thank you for sharing your joy, your grief and your support with us. We ask that you grant us the respect and privacy we will need to navigate this new reality.”
Condolences and tributes have been pouring in from friends, family, and fans of the Bryants, including from Jessica Simpson.
“Eric took this photo from our backyard right after the accident happened where Kobe, his daughter, and other beautiful souls were lifted up to be with God for eternity,” Jessica wrote alongside this photograph.
“We could see the emergency helicopters flying over our house and I felt the loss.”
“I felt the power in the sky of the heavens parting to make room for the greatest of angels to rise,” she continued.
Jessica’s touching post offered condolences to those affected.
“My heart is completely broken for all the families and loved ones left behind trying to make sense of things in this tragic moment.”
Other celebrities have also shared their messages of love and support.
“”There are no words to express the pain I’m going through now with this tragic and sad moment of loosing my neice Gigi & my friend, my brother, my partner in winning championships, my dude and my homie. I love you and you will be missed,” Kobe’s longtime teammate and friend Shaquille O’Neal shared .
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“My heart goes to Vanessa and the kids,” shared Kobe’s friend LeBron James.
“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,” he wrote .
Elle Duncan, an ESPN reporter, shared a touching memory of Kobe as well.
As a dad to four children, all girls, he once described himself as a “girl dad” and gushed that “girls are the best” and that he “would have five more girls if I could.”
Jessica ended the post by addressing Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s wife.
“Vanessa, you are the woman and wife that championed your husband to greatness. My prayers are constant for everyone affected by this impactful loss,” she wrote.