As fans of Jenni Rivera are still coping with the singer's death, reports are circulating about the plane that ultimately took her life and six others onboard.
Rivera was in the Learjet 25, number N345MC, departing from Monterrey, Mexico at 3:30 a.m. on her way to Toluca de Lerdo, west of Mexico City. Rivera was set to arrive in Toluca to attend the Mexican edition of The Voice (La Voz Mexico), where she serves as one of the four judges. The plane was reported missing about 10 minutes after liftoff.
News regarding the Learjet revealed two civil lawsuits were previously filed against the company that owns the jet.
The company, Starwood Management, was accused of lying about its links to a businessman convicted of falsifying maintenance records, according to CNN.
The lawsuit was filed by QBE and Commerce & Industry Insurance Company. According to QBE, Starwood's Ed Nunez, who also went by the name "Christian Esquino," maintained connection to the plane company despite being indicted by a federal grand jury in 2002 for falsifying logbooks in order to obtain certificates from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Nunez also pleaded guilty in 2004 for his involvement in obtaining counterfeit Mexican inspection stamps that were used in grading aircraft engines, propellers, and airframes, according to the criminal complaint.
Nunez was recently interviewed by the Los Angeles Times, stating Rivera was in the "final stages" of buying the Learjet that eventually ended her life on Sunday.
He added the plane was "perfectly maintained," according to The Times, and believes the pilot, who was 78-years-old, might have suffered a heart attack but believes it wasn't a mistake to have him pilot.
The Times did note Nunez's history, and he replied, "Obviously, my past -- there is a story to it. I understand that they are going to look at everything. It's unavoidable that they are going to look at my past. ... I think it's fair to bring it up right now and question it."
Mexico's Ministry of Communication and Transportation has confirmed the names of the two pilots as Miguel Perez, the 78-year-old, and Alejandro Torres.
Mexico's Secretary of Communications and Transportation Gerardo Ruiz Esparza, during a radio interview, said Rivera's flight fell more than 28,000 feet at speeds reaching approximately 620 miles per hour.
"The plane practically nose-dived," said Ruiz Esparza.
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