Nick Carter and Other Celebs React to Aaron Carter’s Death
The "I Want Candy" pop star has died at age 34.
Fans are heartbroken over the devastating loss of former child star Aaron Carter. The 2000s heartthrob was found dead in his California home the morning of Saturday, Nov. 5.
While many recognized Aaron as an honorary Backstreet Boy (his older brother, Nick Carter, was in the boy band), he soon developed a cult following of his own after the release of his 2000 album, Aaron’s Party (Come Get It).
Aaron cemented his celebrity status after landing guest appearances in Lizzie McGuire, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, 7th Heaven, and Supercross.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Aaron was pronounced dead at the scene. A source close to the Carter family told CNN that his body was found in a bathtub. However, neither his family nor authorities have commented on the cause of death.
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Over the course of his life, Aaron was very open about his mental health. In 2019, he revealed doctors diagnosed him with multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, acute anxiety, and manic depression while appearing on an episode of The Doctors, per People. The singer also shared he first began huffing at age 16.
Carter was a month shy from celebrating his 35th birthday.
Shortly after news broke of his younger brother’s death, Nick posted a heartfelt tribute to Aaron on Instagram, asking God to “please take care of my baby brother.”
“My heart is broken. Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded,” Nick penned underneath a photo slideshow of them as kids.
“I have always held on to the hope that he would somehow, someday want to walk a healthy path and eventually find the help that he so desperately needed. Sometimes we want to blame someone or something for a loss, but the truth is that addiction and mental illness is the real villain here,” he continued.
Nick went on to express his love for “Chizz” and that he hopes Aaron “can finally have the peace you could never find here on earth.”
Upon learning of his brother’s passing, Nick was getting ready to perform at the O2 Arena in London with the Backstreet Boys. The group sang “No Place” in honor of Aaron in tandem with a tribute photo slideshow. Fans recorded the special moment and shared it to Twitter.
“We’ve been through highs and lows and ups and downs — we thank you for being with the Backstreet family for 29 years, for all the love,” Kevin Richardson told fans. “Tonight we’ve got a little bit of heavy hearts because we lost one of our family members yesterday. We just wanted to find a moment in our show to recognize him.”
Angie Carter, Nick’s twin sister, also took to Instagram to mourn the loss of her brother. “To my twin… I loved you beyond measure. You will be missed dearly,” she wrote alongside baby photos of her and Aaron.
She added: “My funny, sweet Aaron,I have so many memories of you and I, and I promise to cherish them. I know you’re at peace now. I will carry you with me until the day I die and get to see you again.”
Love and support came raining in from old friends and former co-stars as well.
Hilary Duff, who dated Aaron from 2001 to 2004, posted an emotional letter to the singer on Instagram.
“I am deeply sorry that life was so hard and that you had to struggle in front of the whole world,” Duff said. “You had a charm that was absolutely effervescent…boy, did my teenage self love you deeply.”
“Sending love to your family at this time. Rest easy,” she said.
Actress Melissa Joan Hart shared a throwback snap of her and Aaron from their Sabrina The Teenage Witch days. “Sending love to the family and friends and fans of #AaronCarter. Rest In Peace!” she captioned it.
Aaron is survived by his 11-month-old son, Prince. Our thoughts are with the Carter family.
