Dana Jackson, a woman from North Carolina, died under mysterious circumstances while on a Vodou retreat in Haiti, leaving her family searching for answers from the group leaders she was with. She traveled to Haiti on July 1 with a group she met through the Vodou community as she had been practicing Vodou for a few years and was aspiring to become a Manbo priestess. Despite being nervous about her trip, Timothy Jackson, her son, found comfort in the fact that she was traveling with people she knew well and had built a relationship with.
During the Vodou ceremony, Jackson was not allowed to contact the outside world, which is a sacred part of the ceremony according to her son, Timothy. Despite being in regular communication with her until July 13, the day she was supposed to return to the US, Timothy was unable to reach her after that date. Eventually, on July 22, Timothy received the devastating news from his grandmother that his mother had passed away in Haiti. The group leaders claimed that Jackson became ill during the ceremony, fainted, and had seizures, followed by a heart attack and a stroke at the hospital.
After hearing about his mother’s death, Timothy reached out to one of the leaders of the Vodou group, who informed him of the events leading to her death. They claimed that Jackson had not brought her medicine, causing some suspicion since her son was unaware of any necessary medications she would need. As of the latest update, Timothy was still unaware of the whereabouts of his mother’s body, despite promises from the group leaders for an update by August 16. A GoFundMe page had been set up for Jackson’s funeral expenses, which had raised a substantial amount towards the goal.
Timothy’s family is hoping to have an autopsy performed on his mother’s body to determine the official cause of death, as they are still unsure about the circumstances leading to her passing. This tragic event has left the family in search of answers and closure, especially considering the lack of communication and transparency from the Vodou group. Additionally, Haiti’s current Level 4 travel warning by the US State Department indicates the dangers present in the country, with reduced assistance available for Americans in case of emergencies.
The lack of information and communication surrounding Dana Jackson’s death in Haiti has left her family devastated and seeking clarity on what exactly happened during the Vodou ceremony. Despite her interest in African traditional spiritual beliefs and her dedication to practicing Vodou, her journey to become a Manbo priestess ended in tragedy, raising questions about the safety and transparency of such retreats. Timothy Jackson remains determined to uncover the truth behind his mother’s untimely passing and ensure that she receives a proper investigation into her cause of death.
