Aaliyah’s Uncle Accuses Son Over Singer’s Tragic Death

Aaliyah’s family, specifically her Uncle and cousin, is back in court, but this time, the legal battle is bringing some shocking allegations to light.

According to TMZ, Aaliyah’s uncle and former manager, Barry Hankerson, is accusing his own son, Jomo Hankerson, of failing to properly arrange travel for Aaliyah before the 2001 plane crash that took her life.

Barry claims Jomo was paid to coordinate travel for Aaliyah and her team while they were in the Bahamas filming the music video for “Rock the Boat.”

But according to Barry, Jomo “failed in his responsibility” to make those arrangements. He claims that if Jomo had handled the travel as expected, Aaliyah may not have ended up on the private plane that crashed shortly after takeoff.

Barry is now claiming the tragedy “may have been avoided.”

That allegation is coming out as father and son are already fighting in court over money and music rights.

More Details Behind Jomo’s & Aaliyah’s Uncle Lawsuit

Jomo is suing Barry and Blackground Records, claiming he’s owed 12% of the money made from certain Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, DMX, and Timbaland masters and publishing rights. He says his father used the label to hide money and rack up expenses that reduced what he was owed.

Jomo is seeking more than $1.2 million.

Barry denies the allegations and is also accusing Jomo of wrongdoing. He claims the settlement Jomo is relying on was obtained through fraud and says Jomo previously threatened to release unreleased Aaliyah music if his financial demands weren’t met.

Jomo has denied wrongdoing.

So far, none of these allegations have been proven in court.

Still, the claims are especially difficult to hear because they involve one of music’s most heartbreaking losses.

Aaliyah was only 22 when she and eight others were killed in the August 25, 2001 plane crash in the Bahamas.

Now, more than 25 years later, a legal fight over her music has brought new allegations about the events leading up to that tragic flight.