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Tito Jackson on the Day Michael Died

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Kevin Frazier's exclusive interview with Tito Jackson continues: In part two, the older brother of Michael Jackson recalls the day Michael died -- and how he received the tragic news.

On that tragic day, June 25, Tito says he was at home in Calabasas, CA when he got word from his son, who had been watching the news, that Michael had been taken to the hospital, and asked if it was true. Tito then called his mother and cousin, who confirmed the news and told him, "You should prepare yourself to come over."

"On my way there … I decided to call my sister Janet to see if she had heard anything further," says Tito. "She said 'pull over,' and right when she said that I knew he was gone. … She said, 'Tito, he passed away.' I just sat in my car and I just was messed up for quite a while."

Tito says he went to his mother Katherine's home, where he met the arriving Jackson family members. "It was just the hardest time in my life," says Tito. "It was just devastating."

The last time Tito saw his brother was three weeks prior to his death, and he recalls, "We were celebrating my parents' 60-year anniversary, so we had an exclusive family dinner with all the grandkids, great grandkids and my mom and dad's kids, my brothers and sisters as well. I saw him there and the last thing he said to me is I told him I loved him, and he told me he loved me more, which is something he always says. That was the last time I saw him."

At the time of Tito's interview, Kevin was present as the older Jackson brother accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award on Michael's behalf at the 17th Annual Reggae Sumfest, where Tito and the Funk Brothers Band performed at the five-star resort Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Watch ET for more with Tito Jackson and the Michael Jackson death investigation.

Posted July 29, 2009 4:00:00 PM
See All: music tito jackson michael jackson

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