Aaliyah’s Uncle Alleges Cousin Responsible for Fatal 2001 Plane Crash Amid Legal Dispute

Aaliyah‘s Uncle Alleges Cousin’s Negligence in Fatal 2001 Plane Crash

Barry Hankersonuncle of the late singer Aaliyah, alleged on September 1, 2026, that his son, Jomo Hankersonis responsible for Aaliyah’s fatal plane crash in August 2001. Hankerson claims Jomo failed in his duty to coordinate Aaliyah’s travel for a music video shoot in the Bahamas. These accusations have emerged during an ongoing legal dispute where Jomo Hankerson is suing Barry Hankerson and Blackground Records for breach of a settlement agreement. Jomo Hankerson denies all claims of wrongdoing, including his father’s allegations regarding Aaliyah’s death.

Official Statements and Verified Reaction

Barry Hankerson, founder of Blackground Records and Aaliyah’s former manager, stated that Jomo Hankerson was compensated to coordinate Aaliyah’s travel for the music video shoot in the Bahamas in August 2001. Hankerson claims Jomo “failed in his responsibility” to do so, and that the fatal crash “may have been avoided” if Jomo had fulfilled his task of travel coordination. Jomo Hankerson is seeking over $1.2 million in damages, asserting he is owed 12% of the money Barry Hankerson made from music assets for artists including Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, DMX, and Timbaland. Barry Hankerson denies Jomo’s allegations, claiming the settlement is invalid due to alleged fraud. Jomo Hankerson has publicly denied all claims of wrongdoing, including the allegations made by his father concerning Aaliyah’s death, as reported by Mail Online.

Auto-Enriched Background Context

Aaliyah Dana Haughton, known mononymously as Aaliyah, was an American singer, actress, and model. She was born on January 16, 1979, and tragically died on August 25, 2001, at the age of 22, in a plane crash in the Bahamas. Her death occurred shortly after filming the music video for her single “Rock the Boat.” The plane, a Cessna 402B, crashed shortly after takeoff from Marsh Harbour Airport, Abaco Islands, killing Aaliyah and eight others on board. Investigations later revealed that the aircraft was overloaded by 700 pounds and was carrying one more passenger than it was certified for. The pilot, Luis Morales III, was also found to have traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system and was not certified to fly the aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that the probable cause of the crash was the pilot’s loss of control due to improper loading of the aircraft and the pilot’s impaired state.

Barry Hankerson, Aaliyah’s uncle, played a significant role in her early career. He founded Blackground Records in 1993, which became Aaliyah’s record label. He also managed her career until 1995. Blackground Records was home to several prominent R&B and hip-hop artists, including Toni Braxton, DMX, and Timbaland. The label faced various challenges over the years, including disputes over artist catalogs and distribution. The current legal dispute between Barry Hankerson and his son, Jomo Hankerson, centers on a settlement agreement concerning these music assets. Jomo Hankerson’s claim for a percentage of the earnings from these assets highlights the complex financial arrangements within the music industry and family businesses. The allegations regarding Aaliyah’s death add a somber and highly personal dimension to the ongoing legal battle, drawing renewed attention to the circumstances of her passing. This situation shows the enduring impact of Aaliyah’s legacy and the continued scrutiny surrounding her untimely death, even decades later.