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Kobe, Gianna Bryant Cause of Death Ruled Blunt Trauma by LA County Autopsy
May 15, 2020
An autopsy confirmed that Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant and seven other victims in a Jan. 26 helicopter crash died as a result of blunt trauma.
Per Jason Duaine Hahn of People, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner released the autopsy findings Friday.
"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 report states.
Blunt trauma was the initial cause of death announced by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner on Jan. 29, with the manner of death "certified as accident."
In addition to Kobe and Gianna Bryant, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, Alyssa Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, John Altobelli, Christina Mauser and pilot Ara Zobayan were killed in the accident.
The autopsy also showed Zobayan did not have drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of the crash.
The helicopter crash occurred in Calabasas, California as the group was heading to a basketball game at the Mamba Sports Academy.
Kobe and Gianna were honored during a public memorial at the Staples Center—home of the Los Angeles Lakers—on Feb. 24, a tribute to the jersey numbers for Kobe (24) and Gianna (2).
