On Jan. 26, in the early afternoon, it became big news across the nation, spreading like wildfire, that Los Angeles Lakers basketball superstar Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash at the age of 41 with his 13-year old daughter, Gianna Bryant. Nine other people also died.

Weather conditions were so foggy in Calabasas that police choppers were all grounded, but Kobe’s helicopter requested special permission to fly and then experienced issues in mid-air, bringing it down to the ground. There were no survivors. 

Los Angeles County police closed off nearly every road near the crash site. First responders and detectives only were allowed on the scene. Hours later officials could only identify five of the dead: Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, a baseball coach from Orange County, Calif., the coach’s wife, and their young son. Apart from dealing with the wreckage, detectives trying to identify the other bodies claimed in an interview with CNN News that it would take more time.

The death of Kobe, the beloved and retired all-star, is so tragic that it broke hearts nationwide. Thousand of fans gathered around the Staples Center stadium to mourn the loss.

Kobe’s death was a huge punch in the face to America. In tribute to Kobe, NFL players in the Pro Bowl game on Sunday did a 360-degree jump and threw the football through the goal post every time they made a touchdown. 

The news was tragic enough to make basketball superstar Lebron James break up with emotion at the Philadelphia airport, as caught on security cameras. 

Kobe’s last tweet was to Lebron James himself: