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California Artist Honors Kobe Bryant Ahead of Anniversary of Fatal Helicopter Crash

An artist in Costa Mesa, California, said he’s hoping to complete a Kobe Bryant tribute mural in time for the anniversary of the helicopter crash that killed the basketball icon on January 26, 2020.

Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed in the helicopter crash near Calabasas last January. Other victims of the crash included baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and their daughter Alyssa; Sarah and Payton Chester, a mother and daughter; basketball coach Christina Mauser; and pilot Ara Zobayan.

Paul Ortega said he filmed this timelapse footage on January 16, 2021, showing progress on the Bryant mural being painted at his Costa Mesa home.

“It started off as practice but I’ll probably cut the drywall out and take it with me if I move,” Ortega told Storyful. Credit: @paulortegadesigns via Storyful