EXCLUSIVETito Jacksons friends reveal the stars last words before dying from heart attack
Tito Jackson told his best friend he couldnt breathe and wasnt feeling good moments before he was rushed to a New Mexico hospital where he later died of a heart attack.
Tito Jackson told his best friend he couldnt breathe and wasnt feeling good moments before he was rushed to a New Mexico hospital where he later died of a heart attack.
Terry Harvey Maltbia, Jacksons business associate and best friend, told DailyMail.com exclusively that he and the singer were in Gallup, New Mexico, and had stopped for some food before getting back on the road to Jacksons ranch in Oklahoma.
Maltbia, Jackson and another friend, Ronald Balfour, were on a road trip from Oaklahoma to California, where the trio picked up Jacksons vintage cars from his home.
They made it to New Mexico about 6 pm Sunday and stopped near the American Heritage Plaza shopping center in Gallup to get a meal before making the long drive back to Oklahoma.
We just got done eating turkey and chicken, laughing and talking, Maltbia said on Monday. We were putting the top on the convertible because it started raining. Thats when Tito came back on the passenger side window and said, "My chest is hurting. Can you help Ronnie to finish the [car] top?"
Tito Jackson (left) with friends Ronald Balfour (center) and Terry Harvey Maltbia picked up the singers vintage cars from California and were on the way back to Oklahoma when Jackson had a heart attack
The trio were supposed to be back in town before Jackson planned to fly to Atlanta for another event. On the dashboard is one of Jacksons signature hats
He said, "I aint feeling good in my chest." He wiped his face off, took off his shirt and it was like someone had threw a bucket of water on him.
Maltbia said he flagged officers who were nearby and Jackson was then rushed to a local hospital.
Jackson asked his friends to look for insurance card in his bag as he was rolled into the emergency room.
Moments later, Jacksons condition turned for the worst.
I figured everything was going to be OK since we got him to the hospital and he was still talking, a shocked Maltbia said.
He had a planned appearance at the Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta on Tuesday, but we thought we would miss that and might have to spend the night.
And then a woman came back out and said, "Hes not doing good." I said to her, "What do you mean? Hes not doing good because he cant get up? What do you mean? I was just talking to him!"
They took me back there and I looked at him, Maltbia said with a sigh. He had about seven doctors working on him and it got really bad. I called his brother, Marlon, and thats when he died.
The Jacksons had recently returned from a show in Munich, Germany just four days before Titos sudden death
Inside Tito Jacksons ranch in Claremore, Oklahoma where the musician moved earlier this year
Jacksons remains is being held under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator.
An autopsy has yet to be conducted while the Medical Examiner waits for Jacksons remains to be transported to Albuquerque, where the examination will be conducted, said Chris Ramirez, spokesman for the medical investigators office told DailyMail.com on Monday.
Steve Manning, the Jacksons family friend and former manager, also confirmed the 70-year old died of a heart attack.
In the midst of their grief, Maltbia said he and Balfour decided to drive to their final destination in memory of their beloved friend.
The pair made it to Oklahoma and unloaded the vintage cars Monday afternoon at Jacksons sprawling ranch in Claremore, where the singer had moved earlier this year.
Friends said Jackson decided to move to the small town of about 20,000 people to get away from the rush of city life.
Howard Pollack, Jacksons friend and business associate, said although Jackson had only lived in the community for a short amount of time, he had plans to bring a music festival and other entertainment events to the area.
Friend and business associate Howard Pollack (right) said Tito Jackson quickly opened his heart and door to the community
Jackson, Pollack and Maltbia had plans to bring a major music festival to the area next year, which will be called "Tunes & Spoons". Jackson even held an event at his ranch to announce the idea
Pollack and Maltbia, who have an entertainment management company, were working with Jackson to bring a restaurant to the Tulsa area. A few weeks ago, they also announced plans to hold a Tunes & Spoons event next year, which would feature a music festival and chili cook off.
The city hoped to attract about 40,000 people for the three-day festival, according to local publication Tulsa World.
Jackson was enjoying and embracing the country life, while still finding a way to bring his passion for music to his neighbors, his friends said.
He brought a new energy to the community, Pollack told DailyMail.com. He wanted to bring some music into the area and thats when we came up with the idea for the festival. He was very invested because his family also had roots here.
Jackson told Tulsa World he was interested in settling in the countryside of Oklahoma because his uncle Samuel Jackson ran an undertaking business in 1917 in Tulsa.
Tito toured the world as part of the iconic Jackson 5, which was led by his younger brother Michael and brothers Jackie, Jermaine and Marlon Jackson
Jackson said his uncles business was burned down during the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921, but they were able to rebuild the funeral home.
The musician was recently in Munich, Germany ahead of a performance by The Jacksons current line-up, also featuring brothers Jackie and Marlon Jackson.
Just four days before his death, Jackson shared an picture of himself and his brothers visiting a memorial in Munich that was dedicated for their younger brother and King of Pop, Michael.
In the heartfelt caption, Tito wrote: Were deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive.
Pollack said Jackson was working on new music and even build a studio in his Claremore ranch.
Tito Jacksons sprawling ranch was located near a lake where the singer enjoyed to spend hours fishing
Outside of making music, Jackson enjoyed fishing at the lake located near his property.
His friends said Jackson found the peace he was looking for in the country town.
I always wanted to get away from the West Coast and experience living somewhere with new people and new culture, Jackson told Tulsa World.
Jackson is survived by his three sons Taj, 41, Taryll, 39, and TJ, 46 - who were in the band 3T - and nine grandchildren.
