Colombian singer Yeison Jiménez, one of the leading voices in regional Latin music, has died at the age of 34 following a fatal plane crash in Colombia, his family and local authorities have confirmed.
The Vete hitmaker was aboard a small aircraft that crashed while attempting to take off from a private airfield in Paipa, central Colombia, at around 4 p.m. on Saturday, according to local outlet El Colombiano. The plane burst into flames shortly after takeoff.
Also on board were the pilot, co-pilot, and Jiménez’s photographer, Weisman Mora. All occupants of the aircraft were killed in the crash.
Moments before the tragedy, Mora shared a video on social media showing the small plane on the runway and the pilot preparing for departure — footage that has since been described as haunting in hindsight. The group was en route to Medellín, where Jiménez was scheduled to perform at a concert later that evening.
Jiménez’s family announced his death in an emotional statement shared via Instagram, paying tribute to both the artist and the man behind the music.
“Today, we not only say goodbye to an artist,” the statement read. “We say goodbye to a son, a brother, a friend — a human being full of dreams and courage, who transformed his story into a source of hope for thousands.”
Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Officials have not yet released details on what may have caused the aircraft to crash or whether mechanical failure played a role.
In a tragic coincidence, Jiménez had recently spoken publicly about recurring dreams in which he foresaw dying in a plane crash. In an interview with Colombian broadcaster Caracol last month, the singer revealed he had experienced the same dream three times.
“I dreamt three times that we were going to have a plane crash and that I had to tell the pilot to turn around,” Jiménez said at the time. “When he arrived, he’d say, ‘Oh, boss, thank goodness you told me because something went wrong, but I fixed it. Get in.’”
He added that in one of the dreams, he saw news reports announcing his own death.
“In one of the dreams, I dreamt that we had died and that we were on the news,” he said. “That was the third time. God gave me three signs, and I didn’t understand them.”
Jiménez also disclosed that he had recently survived an emergency landing, describing a terrifying incident shortly after takeoff.
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“The plane takes off, and as it takes off, I feel something go puff, puff,” he recalled. “There was no speed. We weren’t climbing.”
According to Jiménez, his cameraman noticed water leaking from the aircraft’s engine during the incident, heightening concerns about mechanical problems.
Yeison Jiménez rose to prominence as one of Colombia’s most influential regional artists, earning a devoted fan base through his emotionally charged lyrics and powerful storytelling. His music often reflected themes of struggle, resilience, and personal transformation — narratives that resonated deeply with listeners across Latin America and beyond.
He is survived by his wife, Sonia Restrepo, and their three children.
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