Madison Kwiecinski – Editor-in-Chief 

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Aaron Carter, a famous 90s pop singer who released his first debut album in 1997 at nine years old, passed away over the weekend. The singer-turned-rapper was found deceased inside his home on Saturday, Nov 5, at age 34. 

Carter had an early start to fame, with his first hit song blowing up before his age reached double digits, a cover of The Jets’ “Crush on You.” Carter’s 2000 album, “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It)” sold over three million copies, and his videos often received airtime on Nickelodeon and Disney channels in the 2000s. 

Carter released four studio albums and even appeared on Dancing with the Stars. He also went on tour with his older brother’s band, the Backstreet Boys, and was a part of the Broadway production of “Seussical.” 

Aaron Carter appeared to have a difficult, or at least complicated life while alive. He was arrested multiple times for drug-related charges, and often aired his family feuds on social media, even accusing his siblings of sexually abusing him. 

Nick Carter, his brother, stated in an Instagram post on Sunday, “My heart is broken. Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded,” he wrote. “I love you Chizz. Now you can finally have the peace you could never find here on earth…God, please take care of my baby brother” 

Nick Carter has cited feeling as though he blames “addiction and mental illness,” for the loss of his younger brother. 

In 2019, Nick Carter and Aaron’s twin sister Angel filed a restraining order against their brother Aaron. Nick released a statement at the time alleging his brother had “intentions of killing my wife and unborn child.” Aaron Carter had denied these allegations, saying he wished harm to no one.  

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has stated they are investigating the suspicious death at Carter’s home in Lancaster, California. According to TMZ, Aaron’s house sitter found his body in the bathtub and was the one to call authorities around 11:00 a.m., stating a man had drowned in the bathtub. Homicide detectives were dispatched to the scene, but this follows the standard operating procedure for this kind of scene. 

Aaron Carter did a two-part interview on “The Doctors” in 2019, where he stated he was officially diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, manic depression, and anxiety. He revealed the many prescription drugs he is prescribed due to his diagnosis, and admitted to opioid use after a dental procedure, but insisted he was clean and only took these as prescribed at the time. Aaron’s mom was also on the segment to speak of her struggles with alcohol. 

Carter’s fiancée has asked for privacy while the family grieves and comes to terms with their loss. 

“We are still in the process of accepting this unfortunate reality,” Martin said. “Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.” 

“I have always held onto the hope, that he would somehow, someday want to walk a healthy path and eventually find the help he so desperately needed,” stated Aaron’s brother Nick. “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.”