Nicki Minaj’s father, Robert Maraj, has died in a hit-and-run accident.
Robert Maraj was walking along a road in Mineola, Long Island at 6:15 p.m. Friday (Feb. 12), when he was struck by a vehicle that kept going, reports The Associated Press. Nassau County Police say the driver fled the scene and witnesses were not able to provide a meaningful description.
The 64-year-old Maraj was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead Saturday. The Homicide Squad is investigating the fatal crash and is asking for any witnesses to come forward with information. The suspect vehicle has not been identified.
Maraj’s sister Suzie confirmed her brother’s passing on Facebook. “My heart is so heavy right now, I’m missing my big brother and it’s only been less than 24 hrs,” she wrote over the weekend. “This is so hard you’ll, it hurts really, really bad. He was the victim of a hit and run.”
Minaj has not commented on her dad’s death, but a rep for the rapper confirmed the report, according to TMZ.
Unfortunately, Nicki Minaj’s father, Robert Maraj, has passed away after being struck in a hit-and-run accident.
My wishes and condolences are with Nicki and her family❤️ pic.twitter.com/CPNWBtrfsW
— Pop Tingz (@ThePopTingz) February 14, 2021
Nicki had a complicated relationship with her father, which she spoke about in early interviews. They were pictured embracing at her brother’s wedding in 2015.
Fans took to social media to pay their respects in the wake of the tragedy.
