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 Carter’s home in Lancaster, California.
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.”
He 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.
Carter’s second album, released in 2000 and titled “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It)”, was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and its title track reached number 35 on the Billboard chart Hot 100. He was also 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.
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 five siblings, 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 Saturday, Paul said many people didn’t know how “tender” Carter was.
“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.”
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. Carter had appeared on the podcast at least three times, most recently in an episode released 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, Carter filed for bankruptcy, the Tampa Bay Times reported, and a representative for the musician told the newspaper that the majority of his $2.2 million debt was from when he was a minor and did not control your finances.
For years, 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, Carter said she put herself on a “regime” to manage her work, cook her meals and set up her 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, Carter was on his “After Party” tour, which he started after taking a few years off from music to rejuvenate his career and release new songs.
Asked what it was like performing in 2014, as he tried to re-establish himself on the pop scene, Carter told The Washington Post, “People lose their minds. It’s cool to show them that I’m still that guy.”
Avi Selk contributed to this report.