Janet Jackson Breaks Silence on Brother Tito Jackson’s Death

Janet Jackson has spoken out about the death of her brother Tito Jackson.

“May you rest in eternal peace. I miss you so much,” Janet, 58, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, October 15, alongside a photo of her and Tito.

In September, the Jacksons’ former family manager, Steve Manning, told Entertainment Tonight that Tito died from a suspected heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma.

Tito’s sons, Taj, 51, Taryll, 49, and TJ, 46, whom he shared with his late ex-wife, Delores “Dee Dee” Martes, also took to social media on Monday to share a tribute post for their father.

“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us,” Tito’s sons, who perform as the group 3T, wrote via Instagram. “We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken.”

Taj, Taryll and TJ went on to say that Tito was an “incredible man who cared about everyone 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 wrote. “Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you Pops.”

Tito and his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael (who died in 2009 at age 50) rose to fame in the 1960s with their group The Jackson 5. The band, which was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, released several hit songs including “I Want You Back” and “ABC.”

Aside from performing with The Jackson 5, Tito also began his own solo music career, releasing two studio albums: Tito Time in 2016 and Under Your Spell in 2021.

Prior to his death, Tito had been touring with his brothers Marlon and Jackie as The Jacksons. The trio performed in Munich, Germany, on Wednesday, September 11, where they honored their late brother Michael.

“Before our show in Munich, my brothers Jackie, Marlon, and I, visited the beautiful memorial dedicated to our beloved brother, Michael Jackson,” Tito wrote in an Instagram post last Wednesday. “We’re deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive.”

Tito is survived by his three sons and grandchildren, his mom, Katherine, and his siblings Rebbie, Jackie, Jermaine, LaToya, Marlon, Randy and Janet.