John Altobelli, Orange Coast College baseball coach, was also a victim of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, basketball star, on Sunday.
Bryant was traveling with Gianna, his 13-year-old daughter, and other passengers when his private helicopter crashed. There was no survivor.
But in a new report by CNN, the 56-year-old Altobelli, Keri, his wife and Alyssa, their daughter — who is said to be 13 and played for the same basketball team as Gianna — were among those who lost their lives.
The news outlet quoted Tony Altobeli, John’s brother as confirming the tragedy.
They were among the nine people aboard the helicopter when it crashed in Calabasas, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
It is believed that the victims aboard the Bryant’s Sikorsky S-76 helicopter were being transported to Thousand Oaks to attend a game.
Ron La Ruffa, OCC assistant coach bemoans the death of Altobelli to CNN.
“It was something John routinely did, flying up with Kobe to attend games with his daughter,” La Ruffa said.
Altobelli was honored by the American Baseball Coaches Association in 2019 as an ABCA/Diamond National Coach of the Year.
“We have lost a member of our OCC family, and our hearts are broken,” said OCC President Angelica Suarez. “Coach Altobelli was a giant on our campus — a beloved teacher, coach, colleague, and friend. This is a tremendous loss for our campus community.”