Aaron Carter, singer and brother of Backstreet Boys’ Nick, dies

Aaron Carter, the singer and brother of Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter, has died aged 34.

A representative of the singer’s team confirmed the news to the PA news agency and said they were still determining the cause of death.

“We’re just as upset as everybody and hope that fans can give their thoughts and prayers to his family,” the representative said.

Los Angeles county police said that officers attended Carter’s residence in Lancaster, California, on Saturday and found someone dead.

The musician opened for the Backstreet Boys on a number of tours and concerts and also had a successful solo career.

Carter began performing aged seven and released his self-titled debut album in 1997 when he was nine.

His second album, Aaron’s Party (Come Get It), was released in 2000 and went triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

It featured the singles I Want Candy, Aaron’s Party (Come Get It) and That’s How I Beat Shaq.

After the album’s release, Carter supported the Backstreet Boys, as well as Britney Spears on the Oops!… I Did It Again tour.

He went on to release studio albums Oh Aaron in 2001 and Another Earthquake! the year after.

Carter later transitioned into the rap genre and into acting. He appeared on programmes including comedy series Lizzie McGuire and made his Broadway debut in 2001 as JoJo the Who in Seussical The Musical.

The musician appeared on US television programme Dancing With The Stars in 2009 and on the family’s reality series House Of Carters.

In 2017 he appeared on a US talkshow called The Doctors where he tested positive for prescription drugs, which he said he took for anxiety and to help him sleep.

He entered a rehab facility after his appearance on the show.

Carter’s fifth and final studio album, Love, was released in 2018.

The singer had his first child, Prince, with his fiancee, Melanie Martin, in 2021.

His relationship with his siblings was strained over the years. In 2019, his brother, Nick, was granted a temporary restraining order against Carter after alleging he threatened to kill Nick’s pregnant wife.

The singer said the legal move came “in light of Aaron’s increasingly alarming behaviour”.

In response, Carter said at the time that he was “astounded” by the accusations.

“I do not wish harm to anyone, especially my family,” he added.

In 2013, Carter filed a bankruptcy petition after it emerged that he was more than $2m (£1.8m) in debt, which was predominantly taxes owed to the US government.

Source: The Guardian