Aaliyah’s Uncle Barry Hankerson Blames His Own Son For Singer’s F@tal Plane Crash Amid $1.2 Million Family Lawsuit

Aaliyah

Aaliyah’s Uncle Barry Hankerson Blames His Own Son For Singer’s Fatal Plane Crash Amid $1.2 Million Family Lawsuit

Aaliyah’s uncle and former manager, Barry Hankerson, is making a shocking allegation against his own son, Jomo Hankerson, as the family battles in court over money and music rights.

According to TMZ, Barry claims Jomo — Aaliyah’s cousin — was paid to coordinate travel for the singer’s 2001 music video shoot in the Bahamas. Barry alleges Jomo “failed in his responsibility” to handle those arrangements and claims Aaliyah instead traveled on the private plane that crashed shortly after takeoff, k!lling the 22-year-old singer and everyone else onboard. Barry claims the tragedy “may have been avoided” had Jomo followed through with the travel coordination.

The explosive accusation surfaced as Jomo sues his father and Blackground Records over a previous settlement involving music rights. Jomo claims he is entitled to 12% of money Barry made from certain recording masters and publishing copyrights connected to Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, DMX and Timbaland. He accuses his father of using the label to hide money and create unrelated expenses in an effort to pay him less. Jomo is seeking more than $1.2 million in damages.

Barry denies wrongdoing and argues the settlement at the center of the lawsuit is invalid because it was allegedly obtained through fraud. He also claims Jomo previously threatened to release unreleased Aaliyah music if his financial demands weren’t met. Jomo has denied wrongdoing as well, and the legal battle remains ongoing.