Kobe Bryant, 41, NBA legend who retired from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016 after a glittering 20-year career, and founded the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California.
Gianna Bryant, 13, Kobe's daughter, who was a basketball prodigy in her own right and hoped to follow in her father's footsteps, training at the academy which he founded.
Ara Zobayan, the helicopter pilot. Friends described him as 'loving' and an 'incredible pilot' who trained others and 'remained cool, calm and collected' in his job.
Alyssa Altobelli, a young basketball player who played on the same team as Gianna Bryant.
JOHN ALTOBELLI, 56, Alyssa's father. He was the longtime head coach of Southern California's Orange Coast College baseball team.
Keri Altobelli, Alyssa's mother. Her brother-in-law Tony Altobelli confirmed that the three family members were on board the helicopter on their way to watch Alyssa play.
Christina Mauser, a girls' basketball coach at a nearby private elementary school. Her 'devastated' husband Matt Mauser hailed her as a 'beautiful wife and mom'.
Payton Chester, a junior basketball player remembered by friends as a 'beautiful person'.
Sarah Chester, Payton's mother. A school principal described her and the family as 'engaged, supportive, encouraging, and full of mischief and laughter'.
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Looking more and more like FOG was the culprit...it was 100% preventable.
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.
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.'