Jo Mersa Marley, the grandson of reggae legend Bob Marley and the son of Grammy-winning musician Stephen Marley, died unexpectedly at the age of 31 on December 26, 2022. His cause of death has been revealed after six months of investigation by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office. According to Rolling Stone, Jo Mersa died of “acute asthma exacerbation” after being infected with rhinovirus or enterovirus, which are common viruses that cause cold-like symptoms.
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A History of Respiratory Problems
The report states that Jo Mersa had a history of asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia and had not been taking his medication for his asthma diagnosis at the time of his death. He was also seen at a hospital in Florida in March, months prior to his death, for a chest abscess. The report also indicates that Jo Mersa had spoken to his mother on Christmas Day, the day before his death, and “informed her he was feeling ill, ostensibly due to his asthma.”
Found Unresponsive in His Car
Jo Mersa was found “unresponsive” in the parking lot of a Ross Dress for Less inside his vehicle on Dec. 26, 2022. The car’s engine was turned off, and he was pronounced dead after officers attempted to perform CPR. The Medical Examiner’s Office states that “an acute asthma exacerbation due to viral illness is a common occurrence and considered a non-allergic event.” However, the report also notes that “chronic smoking of combustible products such as tobacco or marijuana is dangerous in a person with asthma.”
A Toxicology Report Reveals THC and Naloxone
A toxicology report detected THC, the chemical in marijuana, along with naloxone and 0.08% of ethanol in his body at the time of his death. Naloxone is commonly used to reverse an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids, but it is unclear at this time why the drug was found in Jo Mersa’s system. The report does not mention any evidence of opioid use or abuse by Jo Mersa.
A Musical Legacy Cut Short
Jo Mersa was born in Jamaica in 1992 before moving to Miami at age 11. He was surrounded by music and as a kid, even taking the stage with his father and Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers (the group comprising his uncle Ziggy and aunts Sharon and Cedella). He released his debut EP Comfortable in 2014 and collaborated with artists like Morgan Heritage, Jemere Morgan, and Damian Marley. He also performed at Jamaica 60 Launch in Miramar, Florida earlier this year.
His death has been mourned by many fans and fellow musicians, as well as by prominent figures in Jamaica’s political and cultural spheres. Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed his condolences to Stephen Marley and the rest of the Marley family on Twitter, calling Jo Mersa’s passing “a huge loss to the music as we look to the next generation.” Jamaica’s Minister of Gender, Culture, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange also paid tribute to Jo Mersa, remembering him as “a talented young man who had so much more to offer.”
Jo Mersa Marley Cause of Death: How a Common Cold Led to a Tragic End is an article that aims to inform readers about the circumstances surrounding the death of reggae singer Jo Mersa Marley. It uses facts from various sources such as Rolling Stone, Distractify, Dancehall Mag, and Parade to provide a comprehensive overview of Jo Mersa’s life, health issues, and musical career. It also acknowledges the impact that Jo Mersa had on his fans and his country.
