New Mexico

New Mexico police shed light on Tito Jackson's death: He suffered a medical emergency

Published

1 year ago

September 17, 2024

New Mexico police shed light on Tito Jackson's death: He suffered a medical emergency

The Jackson 5’s Tito Jackson experienced some sort of medical emergency before he died Sunday in New Mexico, according to local law enforcement officials.

Shedding light on some of the circumstances that led to the late Jacksons guitarist’s death, the Gallup Police Department reported Monday that one of its officers had been flagged down by a person at the American Heritage Plaza, saying there was “an individual requiring medical attention” and requesting an ambulance. The ailing individual was later identified as Jackson, the brother of the late King of Pop Michael Jackson and R&B superstar Janet Jackson.

Read more: Tito Jackson, original member of the Jackson 5, dies at 70

“The individual was subsequently transported to a local hospital in Gallup, N.M., where he was pronounced dead. Following this, the hospital requested the presence of detectives and the Office of the Medical Investigator,” the agency said in a statement on its Facebook account. “The deceased has been identified as 70-year-old Toriano ‘Tito’ Jackson from Tulsa, Oklahoma.”

The department added that the information came from a preliminary investigation that was ongoing and said investigators were actively interviewing witnesses and examining physical and electronic records. It noted that the department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances “may evolve as additional evidence is gathered and analyzed.”

Gallup police did not immediately respond Tuesday to The Times’ requests for additional comment.

An autopsy has been scheduled, and Jackson’s cause of death will be determined, a spokesperson for the Office of the Medical Investigator at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque confirmed Tuesday. It typically takes six to eight weeks to complete a full autopsy report, allowing for toxicology and histology tests to be completed.

Jackson’s three sons — who make up the music group 3T — announced their father’s death late Sunday with a family statement. At the time, they did not disclose a cause of death or details about when, where or how he died. However, they did say that they were “shocked, saddened and heartbroken.” Representatives for Jackson did not immediately respond to The Times’ requests for comment.

“Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” sons Taj, Taryll and TJ said in a statement posted on 3T’s Instagram. “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.’ 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.”

Read more: If Michael Jackson is canceled, can we still enjoy the Jacksons?

In a separate tribute, TJ Jackson wrote that his father’s death was “crushing” him, alluding to his mother’s death in 1994, which led to a second-degree murder conviction against a man she had been dating.

“Losing a parent is extremely tough. Losing both in the way I have has given me an incredibly unwelcoming feeling and a paranoia that I will have to overcome,” he wrote on Instagram.

“Specifically regarding my father, I am trying to celebrate the many amazing experiences I’ve enjoyed with him but truthfully I can’t stand knowing he isn’t here,” he added. “He has always exemplified strength, toughness and poise. Simply put, he wasn’t supposed to go this soon. It just goes to show we never know when it’s our time.”

Taryll Jackson noted in a separate tribute that he had “just checked” on his father earlier in the day.

Read more: Janet Jackson reveals her famous family ties that ‘not a lot of people know’ about

“People are hurting, crying and devastated. You were so loved!,” he wrote i on Instagram. “You touched so many people and impacted so many lives. You were strong, gentle and kind with the warmest smile. Your laugh was genuine. Your heart was gold. Down to earth, loving, easy going and just so cool. It’s always been a goal to be on stage with The Jacksons but when anyone asked me about my experience, I would always say what I enjoy most is spending time with you,” he wrote.

Taj Jackson posted a series of photos with his father, writing in the caption, “My legend. Pops.”

Tito Jackson, the third-eldest child in the Jackson family, is the first person since Michael Jackson to die from that generation of the family. Patriarch Joe Jackson died in 2018.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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New Mexico

Federal court orders New Mexico prison officials to allow magazine’s delivery

Published

3 hours ago

March 11, 2026

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Federal court orders New Mexico prison officials to allow magazine’s delivery

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New Mexico

Tanya Tucker to perform at New Mexico State Fair

Published

15 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Tanya Tucker to perform at New Mexico State Fair

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Tanya Tucker will perform at the 2026 New Mexico State Fair, officials announced Tuesday.

Tucker will take to the stage Friday, Sept. 18, after the Chevron PRCA rodeo. The Grammy Award-winning icon has racked up 10 No. 1 country hits since her first hit, “Delta Dawn,” at age 13.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring the legendary Tanya Tucker to the New Mexico State Fair,” said Dan Mourning, general manager of the New Mexico State Fair. “Tanya is one of the greatest icons in country music history and is the perfect fit for the Fair.”

Tucker has 23 Top-40 albums and 56 Top 40 singles on the Billboard country music charts. She has won two Country Music Association awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, three CMT Awards and two Grammys for Best Country Album and Best Country Song.

Tickets are set to go on sale on Friday at 10 a.m.

Here is the full 2026 New Mexico State Fair rodeo-concert lineup:

Friday, Sept. 11

Turnpike Troubadours with Chevron PRCA Xtreme Bulls

Saturday, Sept. 12

Ian Munsick with Chevron PRCA Xtreme Bulls

Wednesday, Sept. 16

Chevron PRCA Standalone Rodeo

Thursday, Sept. 17

Everclear with Chevron PRCA Rodeo

Friday, Sept. 18

Tanya Tucker with Chevron PRCA Rodeo

Saturday, Sept. 19

The Warning with Chevron PRCA Rodeo

Sunday, Sept. 20

Chevron PRCA Rodeo – Matinee

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New Mexico

New Mexico prosecutors launch search of Jeffrey Epstein’s secluded former Zorro Ranch

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico prosecutors launch search of Jeffrey Epstein’s secluded former Zorro Ranch

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State investigators began searching a secluded ranch in New Mexico on Monday where financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein once entertained guests amid allegations that the property may have been used for sexual abuse and sex trafficking of young women.

The office of state Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced that the search was being done with the cooperation of the current ranch owners.

Torrez last month reopened an investigation of the ranch. New Mexico’s initial case was closed in 2019 at the request of federal prosecutors in New York, and state prosecutors say now that “revelations outlined in the previously sealed FBI files warrant further examination.”

Epstein purchased the sprawling Zorro Ranch in Stanley, New Mexico, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Santa Fe, in 1993 from former Democratic Gov. Bruce King and built a hilltop mansion with a private runway.

The property was sold by Epstein’s estate in 2023 — with proceeds going toward creditors — to the family of Don Huffines, a candidate in Texas for state comptroller who won the Republican primary last week.

“The New Mexico Department of Justice appreciates the cooperation of the current property owners,” the agency said in a statement. Prosecutors “will continue to keep the public appropriately informed, support the survivors, and follow the facts wherever they lead.”

Additionally, New Mexico state legislators have established a new commission to look into past activities at the ranch.

Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in 2019 on charges that he sexually abused and trafficked dozens of underage girls.

Epstein never faced charges in New Mexico, but the state attorney general’s office in 2019 confirmed that it had interviewed possible victims who visited Epstein’s ranch.

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