Mexican American singer Jenni Rivera is dead after a plane carrying the star musician went down in northern Mexico on Sunday. Investigators combed through the wreckage of the Learjet carrying Jenni Rivera and her entourage on Monday looking for clues to what caused the crash. The singer’s identification was found at the scene of the crash, confirming her family’s belief she was on board the plane. Authorities say there were no survivors of the horrific accident, which left the aircraft smashed into unrecognizable pieces.
Jenni Rivera sold over 15 million records and was the winner of Female Artist of the Year and Banda Album of the year from the Billboard Mexican Music Awards for Joyas prestadas: Banda. She was also been repeatedly nominated for the Latin Grammys.
Authorities say the pieces of the Learjet reported to be carrying Jenni Rivera are “scattered over an area of 250 to 300 meters.” According to Transportation and Communications Minister Gerardo Ruiz Esparza, the wreckage contains “nothing recognizable, neither material nor human.”
A California driver’s license for Jenni Rivera was found at the crash site. The singer’s father, Pedro Rivera, told media her brother would be traveling to Mexico to attempt to identify her remains.
In addition to Jenni Rivera, the other passengers on the plane reportedly included her attorney Mario Macias, publicist Arturo Rivera (no relation), makeup artist Jacob Yebale and stylist Jorge Sanchez. The crew believed to have been killed in the accident included 78-year-old pilot Miguel Perez Soto and co-pilot Alejandra Torres.
So far the cause of the plane crash is still unknown. Authorities are currently investigating the accident to determine if it was caused by pilot error or mechanical failure. The age of pilot Miguel Perez Soto has led some to question whether human error might have been a possible cause in the crash or if he might have suffered a medical emergency that contributed to the accident. The plane itself had also previously been seriously damaged in an accident in 2005.
“We are watching, reviewing all the documentation, the administrative trail, of both the pilots and the aircraft, and so far we have found no irregularities. We will be looking at both documents to provide a result of the investigation,” Alejandro Argudín, Director of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT), said in a press statement. “The collection of evidence could take us maybe up to 10 days, depending on weather conditions and a number of factors. We hope to finish it much earlier, to fast forward with this investigation.”
Jenni Rivera, 43, was recently divorced from her third husband. She is survived by five children and two grandchildren.
She was great, she was real, and very talented; not the perfect body but she carried herself with beauty and pride. I believe the accident was both pilot error and an extremely old plane’s failure.