“May he find Eternal Peace as we mourn his loss during this season of goodwill,” Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness wrote in a tribute to Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley following his death on Tuesday
Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley, the son of Grammy Award-winning musician Stephen Marley and the grandson of reggae legend Bob Marley, has passed away. He was 31.
His passing was confirmed to Rolling Stone on Tuesday by a representative.
Journalist Abka Fitz-Henley first tweeted about Jo Mersa’s passing; according to WZPP Radio, the musician was “found in his vehicle.” His cause of death hasn’t been made public yet.
Jo Mersa’s representatives did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment right away.
Jo Mersa, who was born in Jamaica in 1991, reportedly moved to Miami when she was 11 years old. Before enrolling at Miami Dade College to study studio engineering, he attended Palmetto High School. Jo Mersa, one of the 11 children of the late reggae musician Bob, was exposed to music at a young age while being raised by his father Stephen, 50.
Jo Mersa started writing music in middle school, and in 2010, he and his cousin Daniel Bambaata Marley released their first song together, “My Girl.” Jo Mersa released his debut EP, Comfortable, in 2014. Eternal, his second EP, was released last year.
Jo Mersa revealed during the promotion of the songs that his grandfather, who passed away in 1981 at the age of 36, had spoken to Reggaeville.com about his legacy and that his family still talks about the times they spent together when remembering the late singer.
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. pic.twitter.com/BJf1NLH6Qc
— Mark J. Golding (@MarkJGolding) December 27, 2022
“We always hear those reflections, speaking about those things, about the role that he played not only as family member and father, but also in the world and the impact he had on the Reggae community and the Reggae culture, the roots, bringing forward the message of Rastafari and love, over all love,” he explained at the time.
A politician from Jamaica named Mark J. Golding posted a moving message on Twitter lamenting the passing of Jo Mersa on Tuesday.
“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,” he wrote. “The loss of a child is a devastating blow no parent should face, my condolences to Stephen & the entire family.”
Jamaican-American reggae musician Shaggy also posted a picture of Jo Mersa on his Instagram.
“So saddened by the news of the passing of this young king @jomersamarley sending prayers and condolences to the Marley family,” he wrote in the caption.
Following Jo Mersa’s passing, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also paid tribute to him.
This is truly sad news; sending strength to the Marley family at this time.
— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) December 28, 2022
Repost/video credit @Babsy_grange :
I am deeply saddened by the news that artiste Joseph Marley, son of Reggae star, Stephen Marley and grand son of Reggae super star, Bob Marley has died. pic.twitter.com/OsXQKYOKEi
Calling his death “a huge loss to the music as we look to the next generation,” Holness, 50, added: “My heartfelt sympathies to Joseph’s friends and associates and to the Reggae music fraternity and fans everywhere.”
“May he find Eternal Peace as we mourn his loss during this season of goodwill when we celebrate with family and friends our love for each other,” he wrote.
According to WZPP Radio, Jo Mersa is survived by his wife and daughter.
