Photo Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

ABC News Suspends Chief National Correspondent For False Report That All Four Of Kobe Bryant’s Daughters Were On Helicopter

This past Sunday, the basketball world was hit with the worst possible news. Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

When everything was more speculation and rumors than facts, following the tragic crash of the helicopter that killed nine lives, many of these premature and false reports claimed Rick Fox to have been on board and killed as well.

Other inaccurate reports claimed that all of Kobe Bryant’s four daughters were on board of the helicopter. One of the reporters broadcasting this false information was ABC News chief national correspondent Matt Gutman, who now has been suspended by ABC in the aftermath.

“Reporting the facts accurately is the cornerstone of our journalism. As he acknowledged on Sunday, Matt Gutman’s initial reporting was not accurate and failed to meet our editorial standards.”

Per the Los Angeles Times

Here's what ABC reporter Matt Gutman is reporting about the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash and his daughters:

"…and the fact that 4 of his children are believed to be on that helicopter with him…." pic.twitter.com/6ETCqw21Aj

— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) January 26, 2020

Immediately after the reports were confirmed to be erroneous, Gutman issued an apology to the Bryant family and their friends.

Today I inaccurately reported it was believed that four of Kobe Bryant’s children were on board that flight. That is incorrect. I apologize to Kobe’s family, friends and our viewers. pic.twitter.com/yYwuB9vpZl

— Matt Gutman (@mattgutmanABC) January 27, 2020