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Bob Marley’s grandson, Jo Mersa Marley, dead at 31

Musician Jo Mersa Marley, the grandson of reggae icon Bob Marley, died Tuesday at age 31.

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A representative for Marley confirmed the singer’s death to Rolling Stone but did not offer any cause of death.

Marley reportedly suffered from asthma and was found unresponsive in a vehicle, according to the Jamaica Observer.

Marley, born Joseph in 1992, moved to Miami at age 11 and took to the stage as a child with his father, Stephen Marley, as well as his uncle Ziggy Marley, Rolling Stone reported.

Olivia Grange, the Jamaican minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport, memorialized Marley on Twitter, saying, “I am deeply saddened by the news that artiste Joseph Marley, son of Reggae star, Stephen Marley and grandson of Reggae super star, Bob Marley has died. We were graced by Joseph, whose stage name was Jo Mersa, performing at our Jamaica 60 Launch in Miramar, Florida, USA in May.”

Jamaican opposition leader and president of the People’s National Party, Mark Golding, said on Twitter: “I’ve just learned of the tragic loss of Joseph ‘Jo Mersa’ Marley. A talented young reggae artiste, son of Stephen Marley & grandson of Bob Marley at only 31 yrs old. The loss of a child is a devastating blow no parent should face, my condolences to Stephen & the entire family.”

Marley released his first song, “My Girl,” in 2010, followed four years later by his debut solo EP, “Comfortable,” Rolling Stone reported. In 2016, Marley joined his father on the song “Revelation Party,” and his most recent project, “Eternal,” featured collaborations with artists like Busy Signal, Black-Am-I and Kabaka Pyramid in 2021.