Crash victims’ families try to cope
Mourners seek to heal through tributes, trips
USA TODAY Sports is marking the first anniversary of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and eight others with a six-day series of stories, photos and videos looking back at the Lakers legend and the aftermath of his death.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Sitting on a couch in a music studio, Matt Mauser demonstrated how he used to react when a helicopter passed overhead.
Mauser thrust a middle finger toward the sky.
His wife, Christina, died alongside Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and seven others in a helicopter crash Jan. 26, 2020, leaving Mauser, 50, to raise three children.
He said he saw a therapist for six months but found another place to grieve and begin to heal — the music studio.
Mauser, a singer, songwriter and musician, has recorded songs that celebrate his wife and also address his pain after the tragedy. Recently, he taped a performance to help mark the first anniversary of the crash.
Billed as “Concert for Christina: A Musical Tribute and Fundraiser Benefiting The Christina Mauser Foundation,” the performance is scheduled to stream at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday on mattmauser.com and benefit female athletes.
Christina Mauser was the top assistant coach on Kobe Bryant’s girls basketball team that included his daughter Gianna, who also died in the helicopter crash.
“We’re going to honor and celebrate all the people that passed away,’’ Mauser said.
Everyone aboard the helicopter headed for a basketball game involving Gianna Bryant’s team was killed. Families have grieved in their own way.
Like Mauser, Vanessa Bryant found herself mourning the loss of her spouse and suddenly a single parent raising three children — daughters Natalia, 18; Bianka, 4; and Capri, 1. She has documented part of their year with photos and videos on her Instagram account.
There’s Vanessa cheering on Capri as she takes her first steps. And the girls dressed up for Easter and Cinco de Mayo.
There they are on a boat near the Golden Gate Bridge with Pau Gasol, one of Kobe’s former teammates with the Lakers. And getting off a jet after an expedition with Ciara, the pop singer and wife of NFL quarterback Russell Wilson.
There also was a trip to Disneyland, swim lessons and birthday parties.
While there always will be public interest in the Bryant family, Chris Chester, whose wife Sarah and 13-year-old daughter Payton died in the helicopter crash, leaving behind twin teenage sons, is maintaining a lower profile. He declined an interview request from USA TODAY Sports and issued a statement.
In January there was a statement issued on behalf of Chris Chester, whose wife Sarah and 13-year-old daughter Payton died helicopter crash and has been raising twin teenage sons.
“Today, as every day, we remember and celebrate Sarah and Payton, their love of life, their beauty, and the light and joy they brought into our family and the world. We miss them deeply. As we honor their memory, we continue to request privacy.”
Tess Davidson, who was the girlfriend of the helicopter pilot, Ara Zobayan, did not respond to requests for comment. But on Jan. 9, she updated her Facebook page profile picture — a closeup of her and Zobayan smiling.