Lopes suffered 'fractured skull'

[Tito]

The body of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes is to be flown back to the United States this week following initial post-mortem test results which show she suffered a fractured skull in the fatal crash.

Forensic doctor Rolando Martinez said the 30-year-old's chest had also been badly damaged.

The singer, who achieved fame with R'n'B group TLC, was travelling in an all-terrain vehicle in Honduras when the driver lost control and crashed the vehicle.

Eight other passengers were injured, some of them seriously.

Honduran newspaper La Tribuna said the accident occurred when Lopes was returning from a health centre that treats chronic illnesses with natural methods.

A spokesman for the US embassy in Honduras said her body will be taken to the US on Tuesday or Wednesday, after the autopsy and all the necessary paperwork has been completed.

Members of the pop group 'NSync are the latest to add their tributes the rapper.

Justin Timberlake described Lopes as humble, fun, warm and loving.

He added: "She had a passion for what she did. She loved to work and she loved to make music."

Fellow bandmate JC Chasez said she had "high energy and a lust for life".

New deal

TLC had recently started recording new material after taking a three-year break since their Grammy-winning album FanMail.

Lopes enjoyed UK success with her duet with Spice Girl Mel C on Never Be The Same Again, which went to number one, and with last year's top 20 hit The Block Party.

Recently she reportedly signed a solo deal with the Death Row label to release a record under the pseudonym Nina - standing for New Identity Not Applicable.

Lopes made the headlines in 1994 after she was arrested for burning down the house of boyfriend, former Atlanta Falcons American football player, Andre Rison.

She was fined and sentenced to five years' probation, and then entered rehab to deal with a drinking problem.

Despite their problems, they announced last year that they intended to marry.
 

[bez]

R.i.P dam the good die young