Aaron Carter, a pop singer who had hits in the early 2000s and was the younger brother of a Backstreet Boy, died Saturday, according to a statement from one of his representatives.
Roger Paul’s statement did not list a cause of death. A spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday that detectives were investigating a report of a “suspicious death” at the home of Mr. Carter in Lancaster, California.
Mr Carter, who struggled with addiction, had said he was five years sober earlier this year. He was the brother of Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter. The singer-turned-actor-turned-rapper was known for his early years The 2000s hits “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It),” “I Want Candy” and “That’s How I Beat Shaq.”
Nick Carter said Sunday that he will miss his brother “more than anyone will ever know,” sharing his statement on Instagram along with photos of the pair over the years.
“My heart is broken today,” her statement said. “Although my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never faded.”
“I have always held out hope that somehow, one day, I would walk a healthy path and finally find the help I so desperately needed,” her brother’s Instagram post said. “Sometimes we want to blame someone or something for a loss, but the truth is that addiction and mental illness are the real villains here.”
Mr. Carter released his first solo album in Europe on December 1, 1997, six days before his 10th birthday. The album sold 1 million copies worldwide, signaling her first rise to stardom.
The second album of Mr. Carter’s 2000 release “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It)” was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and its title track peaked at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. Also he was known for “I Want Candy” from this album and “I’m All About You” from his 2001 album, “Oh Aaron”. His 2001 single “That’s How I Beat Shaq” featured the NBA’s titular player in a video on the black court of a park and featured pre-teens dancing to the bubblegum pop hit.
Stars and fans remember Aaron Carter, lamenting the ‘curse’ of childhood fame
He made several television appearances, including an episode of the first season of “Lizzie McGuire” in a Christmas-themed episode titled “Here Comes Aaron Carter.” In 2001, Carter made his Broadway debut in the cast of the musical “Seussical.”
One of the five brothers, Mr. Carter starred in the 2006 family reality television show, “House of Carters.” The show followed the brothers as they moved in together and tried to solve their problems. It ended after a season of eight episodes.
In a statement on Saturday, Paul said many people did not know how “tender” Mr. Carter
“He genuinely cared about others, and the love he felt for those around him was immeasurable; so much so, that we think it’s safe to say that their timelines transcend,” the statement said. “We can still feel their presence and warmth around us.”
To Mr. Carter is survived by his brother, Nick, and sisters Angel Carter and Bobbie Jean Carter. He also has a young son named Prince, the Los Angeles Times reported last month. His sister Leslie Carter died in 2012. His father, Robert Gene Carter, died in 2017.
“We are still in the process of coming to terms with this unfortunate reality,” his fiancée, Melanie Martin, said in a statement to The Associated Press. “Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.”
Adam Grandmaison, host of the “No Jumper” podcast, said in a tweet that he heard the news of the singer’s death from a close friend. Mr Carter had appeared on the podcast at least three times, most recently in an episode published on Wednesday.
“He was a good boy despite all the demons he fought,” Grandmaison wrote in a tweet. “I’m sad to see him go.”
In 2013, Mr. Carter filed for bankruptcy, the Tampa Bay Times reported, and a representative for the musician told the paper that most of his $2.2 million debt was from when he was a minor and he did not control his finances.
For years, Mr. Carter has been open about his struggles with mental health and drug addiction.
He gave interviews on the talk show “The Doctors” about his dependence on prescription drugs and bufo addiction. In a 2019 interview on the show, Mr Carter said he put himself on a “regime” to manage his work, cook his meals and set up his home to have a family.
“So that I can be strong,” he said of his plans in the interview. “I can say I’ve been through hell and back, and I’m back.”
In 2013, Mr. Carter was on his “After Party” tour, which he embarked on after a few years of hiatus from music to rejuvenate his career and release new songs.
Asked what it was like performing in 2014, while trying to re-establish himself on the pop scene, Carter told The Washington Post, “People lose their minds. It’s great to show them that I’m still that guy.” .
Avi Selk contributed to this report.