The dancehall community is in shock after news surfaced of the tragic death of Brittania Francis, more popularly known as Chicken, the 2022 International Dancehall Queen.

According to reports, at about 1:30am on Thursday May 8, 2025, the 26-year-old was at a bar in Richmond District, Manchester along with the establishment’s operators, when they were getting ready to leave, loud explosions were heard, and Francis was later found suffering from gunshot wounds.

Francis was rushed to the hospital, where she died while undergoing treatment.

The news of her death sparked an outpouring of condolences from fellow dancers and industry insiders. Selector Boom Boom shared a heartfelt message, expressing his sadness and sending condolences to Chicken’s family. “Sending my condolences to the family of #DHQChicken… we are mourning,” he wrote, ending his message with the poignant phrase “this jerk up mi heavens.”

Dancers Latonya Styles, Keiva di Diva, Kim Wheezy, and Chiney also took to social media to express their shock and offered messages of condolence to Chicken’s friends and family.

Chicken’s rise to fame was marked by her victory at the International Dancehall Queen competition in 2022, where she won a $500,000 cash prize, a trophy, and a cell phone.