Michael Jackson’s brother and Jackson 5 member Tito dies aged 70 while driving

TITO Jackson has died aged 70.

The former Jackson 5 member died from a suspected heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma, his family said.

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Ex-Jackson family manager Steve Manning told ET that Tito likely suffered a heart attack while he was behind the wheel.

An official cause of death has not been determined.

Tito was a member of The Jackson 5 alongside his siblings Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and lead singer Michael Jackson who died in 2009 after a record-breaking career as a solo artist.

The star was last pictured on September 9 in Munich, Germany ahead of a performance with The Jacksons featuring his brothers Jackie Jackson and Marlon.

The trio performed in Scotland, California and England over the summer and were set to appear in Atlantic City and New Jersey next month and in Cincinnati, Ohio in November.

The news of his death was announced by his sons TJ, Taj and Taryll on an Instagram post on Sunday.

It read: “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us.

“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being.”

Born on October 15, 1953, Toriano Adaryll Tito Jackson was a background singer who played guitar.

His brothers launched solo careers, including Michael, who became one of the world’s biggest performers known as The King of Pop.

Speaking about his younger brother’s death, Tito said his passing from a drug overdose aged 50 pulled the family closer together.

He said: “I would say definitely it brought us a step closer to each other.

“To recognise that the love we have for each other when one of us is not here, what a great loss, he said, adding he would personally never be at peace with it.

“There’s still moments when I just can’t believe it. So I think that’s never going to go away.

“I don’t think we will ever get used to performing without him. He’s dearly missed.”

The family group, which was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, produced several No. 1 hits in the 1970s including “ABC,” I Want You Back and Ill Be There.

Tito was the last of the nine Jackson siblings to release a solo project with his 2016 debut, Tito Time.

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