Bob Marley’s grandson died suddenly at the age of just 31.
Musician Joseph Mersa Marley, the Jamaican-American grandson of the legendary reggae pioneer Bob Marley, was found unresponsive in a car on Tuesday.
Also known by his stage name of Jo Mersa, the aspiring musician was best known for releasing extended play records Comfortable (2014) and Eternal (2021) after moving to Florida following his upbringing in Jamaica.
According to TIDAL, the young man was found dead at an undisclosed location in the United States – presumably somewhere in Florida.
While the official cause of death is yet to be confirmed, Florida radio station WZPP suggested that the 31-year-old might have died from an asthma attack.
Jo Mersa was one of many grandchildren of Bob Marley, the legendary reggae star who died of cancer at the age of 36 back in 1981 after sharing eleven children with seven different women.
While his grandfather was often dubbed as the king of chill and relax after coming up with hits such as ‘No Woman No Cry,’ one of Marley’s children, Ziggy, previously revealed his father could be quite strict when it came to their upbringing in Jamaica.
“Growing up in Jamaica in the 1970s could be dangerous. There were guns everywhere. But as a kid the danger felt exciting. Every day was an adventure. I did not understand the seriousness of the situation,” Ziggy previously said.
“There were times when my father would tell me not to play on the street because he wanted to keep me safe. If I disobeyed him, he would give me a spanking.
“People think Bob was laid back about everything, but he was tough when it came to discipline. That is a traditional type of Caribbean parenting – old-school. Kids grow up very differently today.”
Our thoughts are with Joseph’s family during this challenging time.
Recommended Video For You!
Coffee Shop Musician Sings Surprise Duet With Famous Singer Without Knowing It