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Statue of Kobe and Gianna Bryant placed at site of helicopter crash on anniversary of their deaths

A bronze statue of Kobe and Gianna Bryant was placed Wednesday at the site of the helicopter crash that killed the Bryants and seven others in Calabasas, California.

The statue, marking the two-year anniversary of their deaths, was made by sculptor Dan Medina. Carried up the hill to the site by Medina at 4 a.m. Wednesday, the 160-pound statue will remain there temporarily, Medina told NBC Los Angeles.

The piece of art depicts the NBA legend in the his Lakers jersey, with his arm around Giana, who is also wearing basketball gear.

The base of the statue has the names of all nine passengers on board the helicopter: John Altobelli, his wife Keri and their daughter Alyssa; Christina Mauser; Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton; and the pilot Ara Zobayan. The passengers were traveling to a youth basketball tournament.

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Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kobe and Gianna Bryant statue placed at deadly helicopter crash site