Rick Fox Dead: Did The NBA Star And Actor Die In The Kobe Bryant Helicopter Crash?

Contrary to the popular buzz that’s doing the rounds, NBA star and actor Rick Fox is hale and hearty. And the same was confirmed by family members on Twitter.

Devastating rumors about Fox and one of his daughters' alleged death in the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash incident cropped up, soon after media outlets released reports about several others getting killed in the Californian crash surfaced. It is believed that Bryant’s daughter Gianna was pronounced dead in the unfortunate accident. The helicopter crash, which took place a little before 10 am on Sunday claimed nine lives, and left no survivors.

Brushing aside the speculations, his stepdaughter, Jillian Hervey, took to Twitter clear the air. “To confirm my stepdad Rick Fox is ALIVE and safe! I just got off the phone with my sister. We are all in shock and deeply saddened but please don't spread false news. #ripkobe,” she tweeted.

Adding to it was Jared Greenberg, host for NBATV who tweeted, “I have personally communicated with Rick Fox via text since the news about Kobe dying came out PLEASE STOP spreading 'news' unless you personally can confirm it!” What’s more, even a representative for Fox stepped in to confirm the rumors around Fox’s death in the crash were bogus.

Reports have confirmed that aside from the deaths of Kobe Bryant and his Gianna; some of the other names to have been associated with the event are John Altobelli, a baseball coach at Orange Coast College, his wife, and his daughter. The aftermath of the crash—a bushfire that broke out—prevented people from getting to the site immediately after the news broke out.

The helicopter crash occurred when it spiraled out of control downwards the Calabasas along with four other passengers in Calabasas, Calif. Addressing the incident, The LA County Sheriff's Office confirmed that nine people were killed in the crash—eight passengers and one pilot. Just as a further probe was underway, a false report about both Foxas well as Bryant's daughters was on the flight surfaced. As per recent reports, Gianna Maria Onore, Bryant’s stepdaughter — a.k.a. GiGi — was pronounced dead in the crash.

“The Los Angeles County Fire Department's initial response was 15 pieces of apparatus and 56 personnel,” said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby. “At 9:47 a.m. the Los Angeles County Fire Department received a 911 call of a potential helicopter down and a brush fire...Upon arrival, our firefighters discovered approximately a quarter-acre brush fire that resulted from a crash on the hillside,” Osby added.