NEWSAaliyah’s Uncle Barry Hankerson Blames His Own Son for Singer's Death, Says He 'Failed in His Responsibility' to Coordinate Travel Ahead of Fatal 2001 Plane Crash
Aaliyah's uncle Barry Hankerson accused his son, Jomo Hankerson, of being responsible for the late singer's death.
Sept. 1 2026, Published 2:15 p.m. ET
25 years after Aaliyah's death, her uncle Barry Hankerson is now blaming his own son for her demise.
Per the lawsuit over music rights obtained by TMZ on Monday, Barry claimed that his son, Jomo Hankerson, was in charge of coordinating the Princess of Pop's travel from the Bahamas, where she was filming her “Rock the Boat” music video, to Florida.
However, he alleged that Jomo “failed in his responsibility.”
Aaliyah's uncle Barry Hankerson blamed his son Jomo Hankerson for her death.
As per the filing, Barry claimed that the “Try Again” songstress and her crew had to ultimately take a private jet that crashed within a minute of taking off.
He reportedly said that the deadly accident “may have been avoided had [Jomo] followed through on his compensated task of travel coordination.”
Additionally, he alleged that his relationship with Jomo changed after Aaliyah's death at the age of 22.
Jomo Filed a Lawsuit Against Barry Over Music Rights
Jomo alleged his father of having breached a settlement regarding the recording masters and publishing rights of Aaliyah, DMX, Timbaland and Toni Braxton.
Per the outlet, these bombshell accusations come from the bitter lawsuit that Jomo has filed against Barry.
In it, he alleged that his father breached a settlement regarding the recording masters and publishing rights of Aaliyah, DMX, Timbaland and Toni Braxton.
Jomo argued that he is owed 12% of the funds Barry made, citing an alleged settlement deal.
He also accused his father of hiding money through the record label, claiming that Barry had “manufacture[d] expenses that [had] nothing to do with the music assets, all for the purpose of pressuring [him] into accepting less than what he is owed.”
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Barry Denied Jomo's Accusations
Aaliyah's uncle Barry denied his son's allegations, bombarding him with further accusations.
Meanwhile, Barry has completely rejected Jomo's accusations, stating that the settlement his son cited was fraud.
He also alleged that Jomo threatened to release Aaliyah’s unpublished music if his financial requests were rejected.
Jomo has denied Barry's claims as well and is reportedly seeking $1.2 million in damages.
Aaliyah passed away on August 25, 2001, in a fatal plane crash.
This news comes after Aaliyah's 25th death anniversary on August 25 this year.
Back in 2001, on this date, the hit singer passed away while onboard the twin-engine Cessna 402B.
Also on the plane with her were seven members of her team, including Keith Wallace, 49; Scott Gallin, 41; Anthony Dudd, 34; Christopher Maldonado, 32; Eric Forman, 29; Gina Smith, 30; and Douglas Kratz, 28.
Per CBS, the aircraft was being flown by pilot Luis Antonio Morales, 30, who was not authorized to fly the plane and was under the influence of cocaine and alcohol.
Additionally, the plane was reportedly overloaded by 700 pounds, with the weight unevenly distributed.
