Thòy'Art, Martine Phebé, Neges Da, Love Dalanchika Malbranche
Late 8-year-old singer Love Dalanchika Malbranche [left], better known as Negès Da, posing for a picture next to her guardian Martine Phebé [right]. Photo via Thòy'Art's Facebook account

PORT-AU-PRINCE ― The death of an 8-year-old internet singing sensation, allegedly tied to a Vodou spell, has caused a split between her family and the guardian with whom she lived with as a budding artist. The mysterious circumstances surrounding the passing of Love Dalanchika Malbranche, better known as Nègès Da, has also left her fans and followers in an uproar over her religion, lack of healthcare and Haiti itself.

Love died Jan. 23 in Fond-des-Blancs, a commune in the Southern Department, days after she first became ill. Her family has filed a complaint against her guardian Martine Phebé because Love became ill after allegedly being the target of a Vodou spell at Phebé’s home. Phebé, meanwhile, said in a Facebook video, it’s the family who owe an explanation for the child’s death.

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Email me at onz@haitiantimes.com
Onz Chery is a Haiti correspondent for The Haitian Times. Chery started his journalism career as a City College of New York student with The Campus. He later wrote for First Touch, local soccer leagues in New York and Elite Sports New York before joining The Haitian Times in 2019.