Tito Jackson of the Jackson 5 experienced some type of medical emergency before he died Sunday in New Mexico, according to local law enforcement officials.
The Gallup Police Department said Monday that one of its officers was flagged down by a person at American Heritage Plaza, saying there was “an individual who needed medical attention” and requesting an ambulance. The sick individual was later identified as Jackson, brother of the late King of Pop Michael Jackson and R&B superstar Janet Jackson.
“The individual was subsequently transported to a local hospital in Gallup, New Mexico, where he was pronounced dead. Following this, the hospital requested the presence of detectives and the Office of the Medical Investigator,” the agency said in a statement on its Facebook account. “The deceased has been identified as Toriano ‘Tito’ Jackson, 70, of Tulsa, Oklahoma.”
The department added that the information came from a preliminary investigation that was ongoing and said investigators were actively interviewing witnesses and examining physical and electronic records. It noted that the department's understanding of the facts and circumstances “may evolve as additional evidence is collected and analyzed.”
Gallup police did not immediately respond Tuesday to The Times' requests for additional comment.
An autopsy has been scheduled and Jackson's cause of death will be determined, a spokesman for the Office of the Medical Investigator at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque confirmed Tuesday. It typically takes six to eight weeks to complete a full autopsy report, which allows for toxicology and histology testing.
Jackson’s three sons, who are members of the musical group 3T, announced their father’s death Sunday night in a family statement. At the time, they did not reveal the cause of death or details about when, where or how he died. However, they said they were “shocked, saddened and heartbroken.” Representatives for Jackson did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Times.
“Our dad was an amazing man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” his children Taj, Taryll and TJ said in a statement posted to 3T’s Instagram. “Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson of the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some know him as ‘Poppa T.’ He will be missed dearly though. He will always be ‘Tito Time’ to us. Please remember to do what our dad always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you, Dad.”
In a separate tribute, TJ Jackson wrote that his father's death was “crushing” him, alluding to his mother's death in 1994, which led to a second-degree murder conviction against a man she had been dating.
“Losing a parent is extremely hard. Losing both of them the way I did has created an incredibly hostile feeling and paranoia that I will have to overcome,” she wrote on Instagram.
“As far as my dad is concerned, I’m trying to celebrate the many wonderful experiences I’ve enjoyed with him, but the truth is I can’t bear to know that he’s not here,” she added. “He’s always been an example of strength, toughness and poise. Simply put, he wasn’t supposed to leave so soon. It just goes to show that we never know when our time will be.”
Taryll Jackson noted in a separate tribute that she had “gone to see” her father earlier in the day.
“People are hurting, crying, and devastated. You were so loved!” she wrote on Instagram. “You touched so many people and impacted so many lives. You were strong, gentle, and kind with the warmest smile. Your laugh was genuine. Your heart was gold. Down to earth, loving, calm, and so cool. It’s always been a goal to be on stage with The Jacksons, but whenever anyone asked me about my experience, I always said I enjoy spending time with you the most.”
Taj Jackson posted a series of photos with his father and wrote in the caption: “My legend. Pops.”
Tito Jackson, the third-oldest son of the Jackson family, is the first person from that generation of the family to die since Michael Jackson. Patriarch Joe Jackson died in 2018.
