Aaliyah: Fame, Negligence, and a Preventable Death

Aaliyah was only 22 years old when she died in a plane crash in the Bahamas — a death that shocked the music industry and devastated her fans worldwide. In this episode of Dead Famous, we examine the events that led to Aaliyah boarding a small aircraft that should never have taken off. From industry pressure and poor safety decisions to ignored warnings and systemic negligence, this is a story about how risk was normalised around a young star. This episode cuts through myth and speculation to focus on documented facts: what went wrong, who made the decisions, and how fame insulated those responsible from meaningful consequences. Aaliyah’s death wasn’t a mystery. It was the result of choices — and a system that repeatedly prioritised schedules and profit over safety. Research and writing - Elliott Caddy Theme music arranged and composed by Holly-Jane Shears -www.soundcloud.com/deaddoginblackbag Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices