The bodies of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, 13, were released to their family members by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office

                                                                                              The bodies of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, 13, were released to their family members by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office, a week after their helicopter went down killing both and seven others in California.

The 44-year-old NBA legend and his daughter were both killed when his helicopter crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California, on January 26.

Their remains were returned after confirmation of their identity and a cause of death was determined by investigators, a spokeswoman for the office told DailyMail.com

The remains of the pilot, Ara Zobayan, and passengers Christina Mauser, 38, Sarah Chester, 45, and her 13-year-old daughter Payton, also  have been released, the spokeswoman confirmed.Bryant, who won five NBA championships, and was an 18-time All-Star, spent his entire 20-season career playing for the LA Lakers, which plays at the arena. 

His wife Vanessa Bryant has asked to be given some of the items left by thousands grieving fans, after the tragedy, the cause of which remains under investigation by the National Transportation and Safety Board.

The Staples Center said it plans to ship the non-perishable items - including t-shirts, letters and basketballs - left at the memorial to the Bryant family when it is dismantled.