Michael Jackson’s children, Prince and Paris, have paid tribute to their uncle, Tito Jackson, following his sudden death at the age of 70 on 15 September.

The Jackson 5 founding member and Michael’s elder brother suffered a heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma on Sunday, a family representative confirmed to the Daily Mail.

On Monday, Paris, 26, shared a throwback photograph of her late father – who passed away in June 2009 – alongside Tito on her Instagram Story. She captioned the post: “Rest in transition, Uncle Tito,” followed by a red heart emoji.

Prince, 27, also took to Instagram to share a family group photograph, featuring several members of the Jackson family surrounding their matriarch, Katherine. He captioned it: “Love you forever, Poppa T.”

Tito’s son, TJ, commented on Prince’s post, writing: “He always spoke so highly of you, Prince, and was so proud of the man you’ve become and your love for family. Thank you for being such a great nephew to him.”

On Monday, Steve Manning – a close family friend and former manager of the Jackson family – confirmed that Tito suffered a heart attack while travelling.

The music icon reportedly told his best friend that he “couldn’t breathe” and “wasn’t feeling well” moments before being rushed to a hospital in New Mexico, where he later passed away.

Terry Harvey Maltbia, Tito’s business associate and close friend, exclusively told the Daily Mail that the two had been in Gallup, having stopped for a meal before continuing their journey to Tito’s ranch in Oklahoma.

“We’d just finished eating turkey and chicken, laughing and chatting,” Terry said on Monday. “We were putting the roof up on the convertible because it started raining. That’s when Tito came to the passenger side window and said, ‘My chest is hurting. Can you help Ronnie finish the [car] roof?’”

“He said, ‘I’m not feeling right in my chest.’ He wiped his face, took his shirt off, and it was as if someone had thrown a bucket of water over him.”

Terry said he flagged down nearby officers, and Tito was rushed to a local hospital, where he sadly passed away.

For now, Tito’s remains are under the care of the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator.

An autopsy has yet to be conducted, as the Medical Examiner is awaiting the transportation of Tito’s remains to Albuquerque, where the procedure will take place, according to Chris Ramirez, spokesperson for the Medical Investigator’s Office.

Gallup Police in New Mexico confirmed to the Daily Mail that a passerby flagged down officers at 6:17 pm on Sunday at the American Heritage Plaza shopping centre, as someone required medical attention.

Police identified the individual as Tito Jackson, who was transported by ambulance to a local hospital in Gallup, where he was later pronounced dead.

The father-of-three had relocated from California to the countryside in Claremore, Oklahoma, earlier this year, according to the Tulsa World.

He told the publication that he had “found the peace he was looking for” in the small city of around 20,000 people, situated in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains.

“I always wanted to get away from the West Coast and experience life in a place with new people and a different culture,” Tito said.

The musician is survived by his three children, Taj, Taryll, and TJ, as well as his nine grandchildren.