It’s been two decades since R&B darling Aaliyah lost her life in a tragic plane accident, but it appears there are still details about that fateful day that are only just emerging.
According to a new book by author Kathy Iandoli, Baby Girl: Better Known As Aaliyah, a source initially hestitant to come forward now claims Aaliyah was given a sleeping pill and carried onto the plane unconscious before the fatal crash in the Bahamas.
Kingsley Russell, who was with Aaliyah just before she was whisked away on the ill-fated flight, reportedly said, “They took her out of the van; she didn’t even know she was getting boarded on a plane. She went on the airplane asleep.”
Aaliyah had just wrapped up a video shoot for “Rock The Boat” and, as pointed out by the New York Post, the team was “eager” to get back to the United States.
But Aaliyah was an “anxious flyer” and reluctant to get on board after learning the plane was over its weight limit. The pilot had reportedly explained the aircraft would struggle to handle eight passengers (including Aaliyah’s 300-pound bodyguard), their bags and cameras.
The then 13-year-old Russell, whose family ran a taxi cab company on Abaco Islands, was in the car that drove Aaliyah and her team to the airport for their return flight to Miami. He says she grew more concerned when they arrived at the airport and discovered she’d be flying on a small plane.
After Aaliyah fell asleep in the cab with complaints of a headache, her team tried to sort out the travel situation and when they returned to the cab, Aaliyah continued protesting. Russell claims one of her team members then gave her a sleeping pill and carried the unconscious singer to the plane.
'Baby Girl: Better Known As Aaliyah' Book Featuring Never Before Told Stories Set For 2021 Release
Shortly after takeoff, the small, two-engine Cessna failed to gain altitude and crashed about 200 feet from the end of the runway, killing everyone onboard. Making matters worse, the pilot of the aircraft reportedly had a fake license and was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine at the time of the crash as noted in a 2002 toxicology report. Aaliyah was just 22 years old.
Baby Girl: Better Known As Aaliyah is expected to arrive on August 17. Pre-orders are available here.
Fake. Trying to cash in on the 20th anni of her death instead of celebrating her life and music.
Ppl love to open old wounds, that nobody anywhere can go about…strictly out of boredom
thats weird. if it is true. this is going back to beyonce destiny child t.l.c. (r.i.p. left eye lopes) days. i mean you give someone a sleeping pill then carry them on to the plane? seriously? that just seems a bit suspect my god.
Question being: WHO from Her “Team” is getting charged????
Why is the 13 year old in the cab? This doesn’t make sense. And who does it make feel better? This guy? Aaliyah’s family probably feels worse now believing she may have been drugged. What kind of BS is this?
Much appreciated, much respect and above all…thank you! Here I thought most of society was losing all sense of logic and decided to believe it all because you know, why apply the mind?
We need more people like you boss. I thought your exact words while reading. Hype to make a name and a buck. Disgraceful to that wonderfully talented artist. I think my two year old does more justice to her memory more by bouncing to Aaliyah’s music with her older sister personally. Nothing new under the sun. Stay up.
Signed – Licensed Minister & Lover of Hip Hop – R&B
I hope people don’t buy this shit. People will do and say anything to make a buck. Planes crash, especially Richie Valens planes. It happens. Stop making this calculus when it’s simple math.
So the team drugged her and put her and themselves on the plane to die together. These conspiracy theory people don’t even try to make sense anymore. Just try to be sensational.
FAKE NEWS the 13 yrs old is looking to gain which is so crazy. Why bring up old news. She lives in the bahamas. Craziness
She was a sacrifice. may she continue to Rest In Peace.