Funeral
Aaliyah’s white casket is transported by a horse drawn, white carriage from Campbell Funeral Home to St. Ignatius Church. Dash and other celebrities walk behind the carriage. Tons of fans crowded the streets to pay their respects. Jay-Z, P. Diddy, Busta Rhymes, and Timbaland are among the many mourners. Timbaland:
She was like blood, and I lost blood.
Autopsy
An autopsy reveals that Aaliyah suffered serious trauma after the plane crash that left her and eight others dead. The singer was killed by severe burns and a blow to the head. Pathologist:
Aaliyah went into such a state of shock, even if she had survived the crash, recovery would have been near impossible.
Aaliyah Haughton dies in plane crash age 22
Investigators find Aaliyah and eight others dead in a Bahamas plane crash. In route to Miami, the Cessna 402 crashes shortly after takeoff. The Cessna’s pilot and video crew get into an argument before takeoff over the weight of the equipment and passengers. The pilot admits the plane is overloaded but takes off anyway. Aaliyah dies instantly in the crash while one victim dies later in a Miami hospital. Emil Wilbekin, editor-in-chief of Vibe magazine:
I think Aaliyah was the next Jennifer Lopez, the next Whitney Houston, the next Madonna, the next Janet Jackson.
Haughton, Dash date
Aaliyah begins dating entrepreneur, Damon Dash. The pair meet through Dash’s accountant. Their relationship is filled with individual work projects and they spend months at a time away from each other. Dash:
She was intelligent and she caught me. I’m the kind of guy who says things sometimes just to make myself laugh, but she would just catch me making jokes for me. I couldn’t get anything past her. She had a very quick mind and a very kind heart.
Marriage annulled
Aaliyah tells the court that she lied about her age on the marriage certificate, claiming that she was 18. Her family is outraged when they learn about the marriage. Aaliyah and family members persuade a judge to immediately annul the marriage. Aaliyah and Kelly end all contact after the annulment.
Aaliyah, Kelly secret marriage
After many dating rumors, Haughton and R. Kelly secretly get married at an undisclosed location. The pair become close after Kelly takes Haughton under his wing during her first album, Age Aint Nothing But A Number.
If I got tired we’d go watch a movie, go eat or whatever, and then come back and work. Me and him we’re really, we’re rather close.
Aaliyah Haughton born in Brooklyn
Aaliyah Dana Haughton is born to Michael and Diane Haughton in Brooklyn. Aaliyah is raised in Detroit with her older brother Rashad and attends Gesu Elementary School where she is cast as a lead in the stage play Annie.
My mom was an educator and has a really good head on her shoulders. She keeps me well rounded as an individual as well, making sure I am exposed to a lot of things other kids my age aren’t.