Taj Jackson Shares Emotional Post After Death of Dad Tito Jackson: 'The Truth Is I Am Not Okay'

Tito Jackson's oldest son Taj called his late did his "hero" on Instagram

Taj Jackson is speaking out on his “incredibly difficult” road ahead following the death of his father, Tito Jackson.

Taj, Tito’s eldest son with ex-wife Dee Dee, paid tribute to his late dad in an emotional Instagram post shared on Monday, Sept. 16, one day after the Jackson 5 musician died following a medical emergency in New Mexico at age 70.

“The truth is I am not okay, and I don’t know if I ever will be. My dad and I shared the same name, Tariano Adaryll Jackson, and people often called me his twin,” Taj wrote. “He was the man I’ve looked up to my entire life—my father, my hero.”

Taj, who with his younger brothers TJ and Taryll formed the band 3T, wrote that above Tito’s musical talents, he most admired his “genuine humbleness and humility,” and that he had regular hobbies outside of his superstardom, like coaching baseball, fishing and working on vintage cars.

Related: How Tito Jackson Helped Fight for Justice After His Ex-Wife Dee Dee's Murder

Taj, 51, also addressed the drowning death of his mother, Dee Dee, in 1994, and having to stay strong for his younger brothers TJ, 46, and Taryll, 49, as well as the death of his uncle Michael Jackson in 2009, and the way he had to step up for Michael’s children Paris, 26, Prince, 27, and Bigi, 22.

“When my mom passed, I had to stay strong for my 2 younger brothers,” he wrote. “When my uncle Michael died, I remained strong for my 3 cousins. I don’t know how much emotional strength I have left,” he wrote. “All of your love lets me know I will survive this nightmare, but I will definitely need to lean on you from time to time and welcome your continued support.”

Alongside his message, he shared a throwback photo of Tito, Dee Dee and Michael, and said it was a reminder that he was “three angels watching over” him.

Taj, TJ and Taryll announced their father’s death in a joint Instagram post on the 3T band page, saying they were “shocked, saddened and heartbroken” to announce that Tito “is no longer with us.”

Related: Tito Jackson, Original Member of The Jackson 5 and Brother of Late Michael Jackson, Dies at 70

“Our father 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.”

The Gallup Police Department said in a press release that someone called police for an “individual requiring medical attention” near the American Heritage Plaza shopping mall, and that person was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was later identified as Toriano “Tito” Jackson, of Tulsa, Okla.

A cause of death was not listed in the police report. The preliminary investigation into Tito’s death is ongoing.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.