MEXICO (AP) — Authorities in northern Mexico are confirming that a small plane carrying Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera has gone missing after taking off from the city of Monterrey.

Jorge Domene, spokesman for the Nuevo Leon state government, told Milenio television on Sunday that the plane left Monterrey about 3:30 a.m after a concert there. It was bound for Toluca, which is located outside Mexico City.

Domene says a search for the plane was launched early Sunday, with helicopters from the local civilian protection agency flying over the state. He says seven people are believed to be aboard the U.S.-registered Learjet 25.

The 43-year-old who was born and raised in Long Beach, California, is known for her interpretations of Mexican regional music known as nortena and banda.

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