Kobe Bryant death: Harbor Day School girls' basketball coach Christina Mauser among 9 killed in chopper tragedy
NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were among the nine killed in the chopper crash on a steep side of the Calabasas mountains. Girls' basketball coach, Christina Mauser, too was one of the victims of the tragedy. She was employed at the Harbor Day School, Corona Del Mar, California.
Her husband Matt Mauser requested everyone to respect their privacy as he and his family are grieving the loss of their loved one. "My kids and I are devastated. We lost our beautiful wife and mom today in a helicopter crash. Please respect our privacy. Thank you for all the well wishes they mean so much," he shared on Facebook.
Costa Mesa mayor Katrina Foley too extended her condolences on social media. "I just learned that our amazing Matt Mauser of TiajuanaDogs lost his wife Christina in the crash. She coached the girls team. This devastating tragedy gets worse by the hour. So much pain for so many local families. Our hearts are broken & grieving for the families impacted," she wrote.
Meanwhile, tributes for her have been pouring in from all corners on social media.
"Also saddened to hear the loss of Christina Mauser, wife of Matt Mauser of up and coming OC Band Tijuana Dogs — she was on the helicopter as well. Have family who are close to the Mausers and are in shock. Christina, Rest In Peace," a fan wrote.
"We send our warmest condolences to Matt Mauser & family on the loss of Christina. May her energy & spirit live through the many lives that she touched. We wish healing for the Harbor Day (@HarborDay) community & all (@sinatrabigband) affected by this sad news. Rest Peacefully," another wrote. "Prayers to the Mauser family. They lost a mother & wife in the crash today. Rip Christina Mauser," another grieved.
Los Angeles weather had been critical and impacted air traffic. LAPD air support was on the ground too because of it, TMZ reported. Bryant's chopper began experiencing issues with the weather when they were circling the zoo at a low altitude. During this time, the pilot tried to contact Burbank Airport control tower but eventually headed North before turning to the west and then above the 101 freeway, the site wrote.
At 9.40 am, the chopper encountered severe fog, which forced them to turn South, resulting in flying over a mountainous area. The chopper went from 1200 to 2000 feet real quick, and within moments of doing so, it crashed into one of the sides of the hills. They were flying at 161 knots.