The family of singer Aaron Carter have confirmed his death is being investigated after news of his passing was announced this week.
A representative of Carter's team broke the news of his death on Saturday (5 November) after Los Angeles county police officers went to Carter’s residence in Lancaster, California and found someone dead.
Carter was just 34 years old when he died, and in their initial statement the representative said his cause of death was still being determined.
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The singer and TV personality was the younger brother of Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter, and had previously opened for the pop group on a number of tours as well as enjoying a successful solo career.
In a statement to The Independent, Carter's family said they were 'extremely saddened and shocked to confirm' the loss of their loved one.
They added: "At the moment his cause of death is being investigated.”
Tributes have been flooding in for Carter since the news broke on Saturday, including one from actor Hilary Duff, who worked with Carter on her Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire.
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In a post on Instagram, she wrote: "For Aaron - I'm deeply sorry that life was so hard for you and that you had to struggle in-front of the whole world.
"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."
Comedian Loni Love shared a picture of herself and Carter from when they met on a chat show in 2018, and described the singer as 'funny, talented and cool'.
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"I felt that he was trying....he really was just trying to be happy. I'm sorry to hear of his passing.. Condolences to his family and fans," she wrote.
Carter was just nine years old when he released his self-titled debut album in 1997, followed by a second album in 2000 which went on to earn triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
In 2013, Carter filed a bankruptcy petition following the news that he was more than $2 million in debt.
Throughout his career, the 34-year-old had also supported Britney Spears on her Oops!… I Did It Again tour and appeared on TV shows Dancing With The Stars in 2009 and his family’s reality series House Of Carters.
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He released his final studio album, Love, in 2018. The following year, Carter became subject to a restraining order taken out by his brother, who claimed Carter had threatened to kill Nick’s pregnant wife.
In response, Carter said he was 'astounded' by the accusations.
Carter welcomed a child of his own, Prince, with his fiancée Melanie Martin in 2021.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Emily Brown