Founding Jackson 5 member Tito Jackson’s death on Sunday night has broken many of his fans’ heart.
According to KOB 4, Tito died after having a medical episode in Gallup, New Mexico, per police. At approximately 6:17 p.m. last night, someone waved down a Gallup police officer who was near the American Heritage Plaza. While on the scene, the officer learned that someone needed medical attention, which prompted the ambulance to show up to the scene also.
Police identified the person who paramedics took to the hospital and pronounced dead happened to be 70-year-old Tito . News of this is coming through amid an ongoing investigation that is still in its preliminary stages according to police, per KOB 4.
“Investigators are actively interviewing witnesses and examining both physical and electronic records. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may evolve as additional evidence is gathered analyzed,” the Gallup Police Department wrote on social media.
As of now, Tito’s exact cause of death isn’t known. Longtime family friend and former Jackson family manager Steve Manning announced Tito’s death to Entertainment Tonight. Steve seems to believe that Tito had a heart attack while he was driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma.
So far, people who have a connection to Tito have shared their condolences on social media. Posting to Facebook former Jackson 5 drummer Jonathan 'Sugarfoot' Moffett said: "There is great, great sadness in my heart, spirit, and soul tonight. My wife and I just left and walked out of a movie we were watching at a theater just now….as she received a text from a very close friend….that my brother in heart and spirit, Tito Jackson has just passed away.
"I’m stunned and devastated to receive and hear this disheartening news. I love Tito like my brothers of blood relation. I’m stunned and dismayed. May God and Jesus Christ receive his soul and spirit with open out stretched arms and welcome him into Heaven’s gate…this is my most sincere prayer this night, this day, this month, and now….this year. I’m at a loss of spirits.
"Trying to gather my thoughts, memories of him….and mental senses…my most sincere and deepest thoughts and prayers for my second mother, Katherine (my love for Katherine….is everlasting. Dear mother, I love you dearly). My thoughts are with my nephews in heart and spirit, 3T and all his grandchildren. I love you all VERY much. You are my second family.
"I love you, Tito Jackson, my brother…forever, still. "
Meanwhile, music producer Questlove also paid tribute, saying: "All of the Jackson brothers are heroes to me. I really don’t have the words right now. May the entire Jackson family find comfort & peace In this moment. Thank You Tito."
Local News
