Kobe Bryant killed in helicopter crash

[Matt Dillon]

Sarah Chester and her 13 year old daughter, Payton, are the last two passengers. Payton was on the same team as GiGi. Still no confirmation of the pilot's identity.

The helicopter was piloted by Ara Zobayan.

[40bill]

I dont want to sound heartless...but although Bryant is the headline, there were a lot of folks that lost family in this accident....and although it is their job, the media in general loses sight of this.

[Matt Dillon]

I dont want to sound heartless...but although Bryant is the headline, there were a lot of folks that lost family in this accident....and although it is their job, the media in general loses sight of this.

I agree 100%, Bill. It's not just the media either. People that didn't know Kobe, had never met him or had any correspondence with him act like he was their best friend or a relative. Many people on Twitter and message boards are grieving and saying condolences for his survivors with nary a mention of the survivors of the others who lost their lives in the crash. I've never understood this. I have the same sympathy for the survivors of the other victims as I do for Kobe, no more or no less.

[40bill]

It is heartbreaking. One report is that three of the fatalities are a couple and their daughter. There are other children left behind.

[Dwight Schrute]

I agree 100%, Bill. It's not just the media either. People that didn't know Kobe, had never met him or had any correspondence with him act like he was their best friend or a relative. Many people on Twitter and message boards are grieving and saying condolences for his survivors with nary a mention of the survivors of the others who lost their lives in the crash. I've never understood this. I have the same sympathy for the survivors of the other victims as I do for Kobe, no more or no less.

I mean, of course Kobe is going to command the attention. He was a transcendent figure and one of the most famous people on the planet.

Planes and helicopters crash everyday and people lose their lives. It’s no less tragic but one of the most recognizable people in the world was killed. That’s going to command media attention.

[surveyor]

It is heartbreaking. One report is that three of the fatalities are a couple and their daughter. There are other children left behind.

John Altobelli, his wife and daughter. He was the Orange Coast College baseball coach.

[Spiritof96]

So very sad. I tend to believe the lie, that if you are young, healthy, and rich, living a low-risk lifestyle you are pretty much insulated from tragedy. It isn't really true and we are all vulnerable all the time.

Gut-wrenching to lose whole families.

[Lighthouse]

There are no guarantees in life.

There's only one I know of. If Jesus is our Lord and Savior and we come to this point in life, we have the guarantee of Heaven! Praying for the families of those involved.

[Catatonic]

I dont want to sound heartless...but although Bryant is the headline, there were a lot of folks that lost family in this accident....and although it is their job, the media in general loses sight of this.

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People die every minute in this country. We don't know their names either, because they weren't public figures.

[Matt Dillon]

I mean, of course Kobe is going to command the attention. He was a transcendent figure and one of the most famous people on the planet.

Planes and helicopters crash everyday and people lose their lives. It’s no less tragic but one of the most recognizable people in the world was killed. That’s going to command media attention.

I'm referring to ordinary everyday people, like myself, more so than the media. Of course the media is all over it and rightfully so.

[Dwight Schrute]

I'm referring to ordinary everyday people, like myself, more so than the media. Of course the media is all over it and rightfully so.

I think it’s natural to latch on to the ones you know. No different than 9/11 families feeling different about the day than someone like me who had no connection to it.

[Matt Dillon]

I think it’s natural to latch on to the ones you know. No different than 9/11 families feeling different about the day than someone like me who had no connection to it.

By "ones you know", I assume you mean people you've heard of due to their fame. I didn't know Kobe, I just knew who he was.

[40bill]

Some sports fans remember the shock of Roberto Clemente.

[teamchemistry15]

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People die every minute in this country. We don't know their names either, because they weren't public figures.

This. I don't want to sound like a jerk, but people die all over the country and world every single day and we don't pay attention to it because we don't know them, never met them, never watched them play a game, they didn't motivate us or inspire us, etc. Of course the other victims of the helicopter crash leave behind friends and family, and their death is equally as sad as Kobe and his daughter, but it's not the same. If I died in a single vehicle car crash tonight no one in Utah, California, Idaho, China, etc would be upset because I am just a guy. My friends, family, customers, etc would be upset, but that's it. If Peyton Manning died in a single vehicle car crash tonight it's a little bit different. Both deaths are sad and tragic, but when it's that big of a public figure it's going to get more attention.

[Dwight Schrute]

By "ones you know", I assume you mean people you've heard of due to their fame. I didn't know Kobe, I just knew who he was.

Well yeah. But I knew more about him than any of the others.