Mexican-American  singing sensation Jenni Rivera is dead following a plane crash in Northeastern Mexico.  She was 43 years old.

The singer was one of seven people aboard a small plane traveling from Monterrey to Toluca, outside of Mexico City.  Shortly after takeoff early Sunday morning, the plane lost contact with air traffic control.  She and the others aboard – two pilots and four other passengers – were initially reported missing.

Mexican officials soon located the wreckage of a small plane with no survivors on Sunday; Transportation Minister Gerardo Ruiz Esparza told reporters that “everything points toward it being the plane” carrying Rivera.   Her death was confirmed by her father to Telemundo.

A mother of five, Rivera was a native of Long Beach, CA. She was best known for her success in traditionally male-dominated banda music, but she also had several business interests including clothing, fragrance and cosmetic lines.   Her Telemundo reality show I Love Jenni premiered last year.  She also had an ABC sitcom in the works, simply titled Jenni, a testament to her success on both sides of the border.  Rivera was named spokesperson of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 2010; she was also involved in many other charity causes.

Enjoy Jenni Rivera’s hit song “De Contrabando” below. Rest in peace.

Photo: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN.com

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