Celebrity Sightings in New York City - February 12, 2020

Source: Robert Kamau / Getty

Robert Maraj, the father of Hip-Hop star Nicki Minaj has died after being involved in a hit-and-run incident in Long Island, N.Y. As the news went wide, fans on Twitter, along with some of Minaj’s contemporaries, showed their support for the rapper and her family.

According to accounts by police by way of a report from local news outlet News 12 Long Island, Robert Maraj, 64, was struck while walking in the village of Mineola in the New York borough on Friday. Mr. Maraj was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, later dying from his injuries on Saturday (Feb. 13).

The Nassau County Police Department has announced that it is investigating the matter as a homicide. A representative for Minaj confirmed the news of the passing but little else has been revealed by way of the family.

While the relationship between Minaj, real name Onika Maraj Petty, and her father was reportedly not a close one, she did confirm in a 2015 interview that her father was verbally abusive within their household, in particular with her mother.

Across Twitter, fans, and compatriots alike have offered up their kindest thoughts. We’ve got those reactions below.

Hip-Hop Wired extends its condolences to the Maraj family during this difficult period.

Photo: Getty

Nicki Minaj’s Father Dies After Hit-And-Run Accident, Twitter Gathers In Support  was originally published on hiphopwired.com

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