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Tito Jackson found with heart attack in New Mexico mall

New Mexico police say Tito Jackson suffered a medical emergency behind the wheel before dying Sunday.

Officers told the Daily Mail on Monday that a passerby noticed Jackson in need of medical attention shortly after 6 p.m. He was traveling from New Mexico to Oklahoma, where he had recently moved.

The driver flagged down police at the American Heritage Plaza shopping center, where Jackson had apparently stopped.

Tito Jackson reportedly suffered a heart attack while driving on Sunday. AFP via Getty Images
The musician was traveling from New Mexico to Oklahoma when the medical emergency occurred. AFP via Getty Images

The Jackson 5 founder was taken to hospital by ambulance, but was pronounced dead hours later.

The “ABC” singer was 70.

Steve Manning, Jackson’s former manager, claimed the musician suffered a heart attack during the trip across state.

However, an autopsy has yet to be performed and his official cause of death has yet to be revealed. A formal investigation is ongoing.

Another driver alerted police that Jackson needed medical attention. Instagram / @3tworld
The Jackson 5 member was pronounced dead at the hospital. Michael Ochs Archives

Jackson’s sons — Taj, 51, Taryll, 49, and TJ, 46 — announced their father’s passing in a joint statement shared to their band 3T’s Instagram account Monday morning.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson,” they wrote. “We are shocked, saddened, and heartbroken.”

The brothers described their father as an “incredible man” who cared deeply about others and “their well-being.”

“Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson of the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some may know him as ‘Poppa T,'” they continued. “Nevertheless, he will be greatly missed.”

The musician was 70 years old when he died. Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
Jackson’s sons shared the sad news on Instagram on Monday. Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP

The trio concluded their message by asking fans to honor their father by leading with love, as he always did.

Tito rose to fame as a teenager along with his brothers – Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson – when they conquered the world with their Motown hits.

The group was led by their father, Joe Jackson, who died in 2018 at the age of 89.

The iconic band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and nominated for three Grammys.

Tito was part of the legendary band, together with his brothers: Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson. Wire Image
In the late 1990s they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Getty Images

A few decades after the band’s demise, Tito began his solo career, releasing “Tito Time” in 2016.

Although he continued to make music and perform until his death, the hitmaker recently left the bustling Hollywood behind.

In 2023, the singer told the Tulsa World that he had “found the peace he was looking for” after moving to Claremore, OK, a small town of less than 20,000 people.

“I always wanted to get away from the West Coast and live somewhere with new people and a new culture,” Tito told the outlet, according to the Daily Mail.