(See the footage HERE) Until the very end,Kobe Bryant was a father first.
The legendary NBA star's final hours were spent with his greatest loves — his daughters. In footage obtained by TMZ, Kobe is shown playing with his three-year-old daughter Bianka, just hours before the fatal helicopter crash that took the life of the legend, his 13-year-old daughter Gigi, and seven other passengers.
In the video, the late father of four —Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3,Capri, 7 months, and Gianna (a.k.a. Gigi), 13 — is shown spending quality daddy/daughter time with Bianka at the Fashion Island mall in Newport Beach on Saturday (January 25). An eye witness told the outlet that Kobe and Bianka looked adorable as they enjoyed each other's company.
It was hours later, early Sunday morning (January 26), that the proud father shared his final moments with his second oldest child, Gigi. The two, as well as seven other passengers, were on their way to Kobe's Mamba Academy for one of Gigi's basketball tournament when their helicopter crashed into a mountain.
While the crash remains under investigation, early reports suggest that heavy fog was possibly to blame.
Along with Kobe and Gigi, the victims of the crash include mother and daughter Sarah & Payton Chester, girls’ basketball coach Christina Mauser, college baseball coach John Altobelli, his daughter Alyssa Altobelli and wife Keri Altobelli, and the helicopter's pilot Ara Zobayan.
May they rest in peace.