Tito Jackson found suffering from heart attack in New Mexico shopping center before death

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

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

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

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

The Jackson 5 founding member was transported to the hospital via ambulance. However, he was pronounced dead hours later.

The “ABC” singer was 70.

Steve Manning, Jackson’s former manager, claimed the musician had a heart attack while making the cross-state trek.

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

Another driver alerted police of Jackson’s need for medical assistance. 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 on their band 3T’s Instagram account Monday morning.

“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us,” they wrote. “We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken.”

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

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

The musician was 70 at the time of his death. Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock Jackson’s sons shared the sad news on Instagram Monday. Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP

The trio concluded their post by asking fans to honor their father by leading with love — just like he always did.

Tito rose to fame as a teen alongside his brothers — Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson — as they took the world by storm with their Motown hits.

The group was managed by their father, Joe Jackson, who died in 2018 at 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 alongside his brothers — Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson. WireImage They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in the late ’90s. Getty Images

A few decades after the band fizzled out, Tito embarked on his solo career, releasing “Tito Time” in 2016.

Although he continued to make music and perform up until his death, the hitmaker recently left behind the bright lights of Hollywood.

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

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