–CNN photo
LOS ANGELES (WBAP/KLIF News) — When NBA superstar Kobe Bryant and his daughter died in a helicopter crash this week they left behind their wife and mother, Vanessa, plus three other children. If there is a silver lining to be found in the tragic cloud that lingers over five families and the entire world it is that most of Kobe’s immediate family did not die with him.
Insiders say that was by design.
People quotes an unnamed source as saying the Bryants agreed they would never fly in a helicopter together for the risk of orphaning all of their daughters.
“He and Vanessa had a deal that they would never fly on a helicopter together,” the source said.
In earlier interviews Bryant explained he began using helicopters to commute between Los Angeles and his home in Orange County because driving took too much time away from his family. According to People, Bryant only flew with trusted pilot Ara Zobayan, who was among those killed in the crash.