Jackson 5 guitarist Tito Jackson, who is the older brother of the late Michael Jackson, died on September 15 after suffering a suspected heart attack

Tito Jackson died unexpectedly at the age of 70, with his friend revealing his final moments.

Fans were left heartbroken when the news broke on September 15 about the sudden death of Tito, who is the older brother of Michael Jackson. It’s believed he suffered a suspected heart attack before he died.

In his final outing, Tito was enjoying a road trip with pals Ronald Balfour and Terry Harvey Maltbia from Oklahoma to California. Terry explained how Tito’s health worsened during a casual stopover for food in Gallup, New Mexico.

It was here, at a food joint near Gallup’s American Heritage Plaza, that they decided to stop for food before the drive back to Tito’s ranch in Oklahoma. Terry said they had been “laughing and talking” throughout the meal.

Tito Jackson had been enjoying a road trip with pals ( Image: Facebook)
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he recounted how a gentle rain led them to put the convertible’s top up. Moments later, Tito voiced his distress from the passenger side.

Terry said: “That’s when Tito came back on the passenger side window and said, ‘My chest is hurting. Can you help Ronnie to finish the [car] top?’.”

Expressing discomfort, Tito added: “I ain’t feeling good in my chest,” after which Terry observed: “He wiped his face off, took off his shirt and it was like someone had threw a bucket of water on him.”

Terry quickly sought assistance from nearby officers, which resulted in Tito being rushed to hospital. Upon arriving at the hospital, Tito asked his friends to find his insurance card in his bag. However, his condition rapidly deteriorated.

The group had stopped for some food ( Image: Facebook)

Tito was 70 years old ( Image: Getty Images)
Terry initially thought everything would be fine since they had reached the hospital and Tito was still able to speak. But a woman soon informed them that Tito’s condition was worsening.

Terry remembered feeling bewildered when he learned about his long-time friend’s critical state. “They took me back there and I looked at him,'” Terry recounted, adding: “He had about seven doctors working on him and it got really bad. I called his brother, Marlon, and that’s when he died.”

The remains of the singer are currently under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator. An autopsy is yet to be conducted as the Medical Examiner awaits the transportation of Tito’s remains to Albuquerque, where the examination will take place.