The funeral comes just two weeks after the pair died in a tragic helicopter crash along with seven passengers, Christina Mauser, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, and pilot Ara Zobayan.

A public memorial will also be held on February 24 at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, where fans will be giving the opportunity to pay their respects.

On Wednesday afternoon, Vanessa returned to Instagram to change her profile image to a photo of Kobe embracing their daughter. She also changed her profile from private to public.

Later in the evening, she posted a heart-wrenching post, where she thanked everyone for their support and said that her family is ‘completely devastated by the sudden loss.’

She wrote “My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time. Thank you for all the prayers. We definitely need them. 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. 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. I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them. But we wake up each day, trying to keep pushing because Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way. Our love for them is endless — and that’s to say, immeasurable. I just wish I could hug them, kiss them and bless them. Have them here with us, forever. 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. To honor our Team Mamba family, the Mamba Sports Foundation has set up the MambaOnThree Fund to help support the other families affected by this tragedy. To donate, please go to MambaOnThree.org. To further Kobe and Gianna’s legacy in youth sports, please visit MambaSportsFoundation.org.
Thank you so much for lifting us up in your prayers, and for loving Kobe, Gigi, Natalia, Bianka, Capri and me.”

Lebron, who broke Bryant’s scoring record to become the third-leading scorer in NBA history hours before the helicopter crash, took to his Instagram page this morning to pay a touching tribute to the legend, revealing that he is ‘heartbroken’ by the passing of his close friend.

James wrote: “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!” James wrote, along with multiple photos of himself and Bryant. 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.”

The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter wasn’t required to have the black boxes, National Transportation Safety Board member Jennifer Homendy said at the agency’s first briefing since the accident.

The pilot of the aircraft, Ara Zibayan requested permission to climb to avoid a cloud layer and then made a descending turn and struck a hillside, Homendy said. An air-traffic controller radioed back to the pilot asking him what he planned to do and there was no reply.

Preliminary reports indicate the pilot was confused or was reacting to some unusual condition as it climbed and turned away from its route, according to aviation safety experts.

The pilot, identified as Ara Zobayan, had been flying under what are known as “special” visual rules, which allow for flying in deteriorating weather but that still required him to stay clear of clouds and low visibility. If pilots flying under visual rules choose to fly into clouds, FAA rules require that they radio a controller for permission.

Kobe and Gianna both died in a helicopter crash on Sunday, January 26th 2020.

Obama wrote, “Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day”.

Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Josh Rubenstein confirmed their Air Support Division was grounded Sunday, adding: “The weather situation did not meet our minimum standards for flying.”

A flight plan indicated the helicopter took off from John Wayne Airport in Orange County at 9.06 am PST and the last signal was received from the aircraft at 9.45 am. It was expected to land at San Gabriel Valley Airport in El Monte. Flight data shows the aircraft appeared to get into trouble above the LA Zoo where it circled at a very low altitude and air traffic control audio suggests conditions were worsening in the run-up to the crash.

Bryant’s helicopter circled for a time just east of Interstate 5, near Glendale. Air traffic controllers noted poor visibility around Burbank, just to the north, and Van Nuys, to the northwest. After holding up the helicopter for other aircraft, they cleared the Sikorsky S-76 to proceed north along Interstate 5 through Burbank before turning west to follow U.S Route 101, the Ventura Highway. Shortly after 9:40 a.m., the helicopter turned again, toward the southeast, and climbed to more than 2,000 feet above sea level. It then descended and crashed into the hillside at about 1,400 feet, according to data from Flightradar24. When it struck the ground, the helicopter was flying at about 160 knots (184 mph) and descending at a rate of more than 4,000 feet per minute, the Flightradar24 data showed. The impact scattered debris over an area about the size of a football field.

Officials with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene near Las Virgenes Rd and Willow Glen St in Calabasas after a group of mountain bikers spotted the smoke. The crash site is difficult to access and authorities say it could take several days to recover bodies.

Kobe was traveling with at least three other peoplele in his private helicopter. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

According to reports, emergency personnel responded, but nobody on board survived the crash and five people were confirmed dead at scene.

The Los Angeles Times confirmed that a helicopter crash had occurred before 10 a.m. near Las Virgenes Road, south of Agoura Road. There were foggy conditions that caused the helicopter to crash in the hills above Calabasas and burst into flames.

Emergency Services personnel were unable to get to the aircraft until the fire was contained. Bryant has been known for traveling via a private helicopter for years even during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers.