Aaron Carter is Dead At 34 Found in a Bathtub
Aaron Carter, the former child star who released a 3X platinum album at barely 13 years old, was found dead on Saturday. Celebrities from all over the entertainment industry are in grief.
According to TMZ, who broke the story, the artist was found early Saturday morning at his home in Lancaster, California.
A body was found just before 11 a.m., a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson informed PEOPLE, although law enforcement did not identify the victim. Carter’s spokesman declined to comment but pointed out “The family and management will issue a statement soon. I appreciate your patience with me during this trying period.”
The younger brother of the Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter, Carter is best known for his breakthrough album Aaron’s Party (Come Get It) and singles like “That’s How I Beat Shaq” and “I Want Candy.” Carter started opening for the group before appearing on shows like Lizzie McGuire and traveling the world alone.
“Fame at a young age is often more a curse than a blessing and surviving it is not easy,” songwriter Dianne Warren shared on Twitter. “RIP Aaron Carter.”
For those who had a close relationship with Carter, actor Tyler Hilton of One Tree Hill commented that the news was “heartbreaking” after getting to know Carter “for years” and growing to like him. In 2019, Hilton and Carter went on a joint tour called the Pop2K Tour, during which Hilton performed Carter’s smash song “I Want Candy” live.
“Known him for years and always really liked him, he was warm and really funny,” Hilton shared on Twitter. “Loved putting on a show and he was good at it. I’ll find some pics of us and post more later… damn RIP budddd.”
“Sending love to the family and friends and fans of #AaronCarter. Rest In Peace!” wrote Melissa Joan Hart with a throwback picture from their youth.
“Incredibly sad about the passing of Aaron Carter. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family,” tweeted Disney alum Christy Carlson Romano.
Incredibly sad about the passing of Aaron Carter. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family. 🕯️
— ChristyCarlsonRomano (@ChristyRomano) November 5, 2022
In his Instagram Stories, Billy Gilman shared a throwback picture from their youth and wrote in part, “I am gutted by this one. You were truly a musical genius, and I could never just be that.”
Fellow ’90s pop stars New Kids on the Block shared on Twitter: “We are shocked and saddened about the sudden passing of Aaron Carter. Sending prayers to the Carter family. Rest in peace, Aaron.”
“Met Aaron Carter in 2018, funny, talented and cool. 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,” tweeted Loni Love.
Carter started dabbling in hip-hop later in his career to diversify from his portfolio of teen pop, and fellow rapper Russ expressed feelings about the late musician.
Other people outside the music industry have also been paying tribute to the late musician, such as Joey Sasso from Netflix’s The Circle, who mentioned that Carter had recently given birth to a son. Carter and fiancée Melanie Martin had their first child, a son they called Prince, back in 2020.
“He just had his son. Now a boy is without a father and this man passed on far too young. Just a terrible tragedy of a day. RIP Aaron.”
