Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020, along with Newport Beach residents John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli; Sarah and Payton Chester; Christina Mauser and Ara Zobayan.
On the fifth anniversary of the tragedy, The Times asked readers to share their thoughts on where they were when they heard about his death and the impact of his life on theirs.
From Steve Yasbek: I was at a car wash in the waiting room and the breaking news came on the television. My heart sank exactly the same way when I heard that Magic Johnson had HIV and I thought his death was imminent.