To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Tributes paid to Bob Marley’s grandson as reggae star is found dead in car

Tributes paid to Bob Marley’s grandson as reggae star is found dead in car

People have paid their respects to Jo Mersa, who died aged 31

Tributes have poured in following the death of Joseph 'Jo Mersa' Marley, grandson of musical legend Bob Marley, after he was found dead in a car on the morning of 27 December.

First reported by South Florida outlet WZPP Radio, a representative for the Marley family has since confirmed his death to Rolling Stone.

No official cause of death was immediately given.

Following in the family footsteps as a reggae musician, Jo was the son of Stephen Marley, whose father was Bob Marley himself.

Jo began his musical career in 2014 with the release of EP 'Comfortable', while in 2021, he launched the album 'Eternal'.

Also performing on reggae group Morgan Heritage's 2015 album 'Strictly Roots', he is likely best known for 2016 song 'Burn It Down'.

Joseph 'Jo Mersa' Marley performing in 2017.
WENN Rights Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo

Tributes have been paid to the late musician, with many mourning his untimely death and lamenting the tragic loss at such a young age.

Jamaican politician Mark J. Golding paid tribute to the 'talented young reggae artiste', saying that the loss of a child was a 'devastating blow no parent should face' and offering his condolences to the Marley family.

Fellow politician Olivia Grange said she was 'deeply saddened' by news of Joseph's death and shared a memory of a performance he had put on during an event to celebrate 60 years of Jamaica's independence.

She also offered her best wishes to his family and said his death was a 'huge loss', especially as the news had come 'during this season of goodwill when we celebrate with family and friends our love for each other'.

Fans are also paying their own respects to the artist, with many taking to social media to mourn his death and offer their best wishes to his family.

One said his tragic death was 'a loss to the reggae world' while another said the news of his death was 'so sudden'.

Tributes to the memory of Joseph 'Jo Mersa' Marley have poured in after he was found dead.
MediaPunch Inc / Alamy Stock Photo

Others praised Marley as being 'vibrant, talented and appreciative of his family history', noting that he 'paid respects to the elders in reggae'.

Renowned journalist Hopewell Chin'ono also addressed Jo's father Stephen on social media, saying he was 'sorry at the sad news of your son's passing'.

He said that to 'go through the pain of burying their own child' was something no parent should ever have to experience, and said he would keep Stephen and the Marley family in his prayers.

Upon hearing the news many fans kept their tributes simple and just said 'rest in power'.

Featured Image Credit: ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: Music, US News, News