Tito Jackson, beloved musician and Michael Jackson’s brother, has tragically passed away at the age of 70.
As one of the founding members of the legendary Jackson 5, Michael Jackson‘s brother played an essential role in shaping the group’s success and their lasting influence on the music industry.
On Sunday, September 16th, 2024, Tito’s children shared the heartbreaking news, leaving fans and family mourning his loss. While initial reports suggest that Michael Jackson’s brother may have suffered a heart attack, the Jackson family has not yet confirmed the official cause of death.
Tito is survived by his three children—Taj, Taryll, and TJ—who honor his musical legacy through their group, 3T. He is also remembered by his grandchildren and the extended Jackson family. His former wife, Delores Martes, passed away in 1994.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, his children expressed, “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce 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 deeply about everyone and their well-being.”
The passing of Michael Jackson’s brother marks another significant loss for the Jackson family and the global music community, following the earlier deaths of Michael in 2009 and their father, Joe Jackson, in 2018. Tito’s legacy will continue to be celebrated alongside his brother’s iconic contributions to music.
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Meanwhile, Michael Jackson’s famous Neverland estate is in danger due to a fast-moving wildfire in Southern California. According to TMZ, the Santa Barbara County estate was dangerously close to the Lake Fire, which had burned more than 18,000 acres since it began on July 5 and was less than ten percent contained. The blaze was threatening rural areas around the Los Padres National Forest, with a potential risk of moving into more populated communities.
Anthony Stornetta, incident commander with Santa Barbara County Fire, stated, “As we’re looking at the fire, we’re trying to go direct and directly on the fire line. If we can’t do it because of the steep, rugged terrain, we’ll go indirect. But we’re also looking way ahead of the fire as well.”
The intense heat wave and dry conditions have exacerbated the fire’s growth. The National Weather Service noted, “A heat wave this intense, this long, has not been experienced in this region in 20 years.”
During a weekend update, first responders did not disclose how close the flames were to the structures, but photos indicated smoke was visible from the entrance of Sycamore Valley Ranch, Jackson’s former property. Jackson purchased the 2,600-acre property in 1987 and named it “Neverland Ranch,” inspired by the fictional land in Peter Pan. According to CAL FIRE, there have been 54 arson-related arrests so far this year.
