Los Angeles (AP) - Thousands of people said goodbye to basketball superstar Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash, and his daughter Gianna at a memorial service.
The event, "A Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant," took place on February 24th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, which holds 20,000 people. In a moving speech, the widow Vanessa Bryant recalled her daughter and her husband.
Bryant, 41, his daughter, 13, and seven others died in a helicopter crash on January 26. The group was on its way from John Wayne International Airport to a basketball tournament at the Mamba Sports Academy when the helicopter crashed in a hilly area northwest of Los Angeles. The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing.
"I miss her so much," said Vanessa Bryant about her daughter. "I can't imagine life without her." She added, "I won't be able to tell her how beautiful she looks on her wedding day."
Vanessa Bryant struggled to keep up with her appearance. She said she was Kobe's first love. "We really had an incredible love story." Her husband - with whom she had four daughters - was charismatic, loving, romantic and a gentleman. "We were hoping to grow old together." Looking at her husband and deceased daughter, she said, "God knew they couldn't be on earth without each other. He needed to take them home to heaven together."
The memorial event was moderated by TV entertainer Jimmy Kimmel. The moderator was in tears when he remembered Bryant. "This is a sad day, but it is also a celebration," he said. "The only thing we can do is be thankful for the time we had with them."
Beyoncé had performed at the start of the event. The singer said, "I'm here because I love Kobe." After two songs, Beyoncé ended her performance with a kissing hand towards the sky.
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