Searching for the truth. As they await the results from a toxicology report, some members of Aaron Carter‘s family have revealed that they believe the singer died of a drug overdose.
The pop star — who died at 34 in November 2022 — was found dead in his bathtub. However, the “I Want Candy” musician’s on-again, off-again fiancée, Melanie Martin, and his mother, Jane Carter, told TMZ on Tuesday, January 17, that the L.A. County Coroner’s Office told them there was no water found in Aaron’s lungs, ruling out drowning as a cause of death.
Martin, 30, for her part, opened up to Us Weekly on Tuesday about the uncertainty she faces without the toxicology report.
“The coroner is not saying what caused him to die. They are not telling me if he had a heart attack, a stroke or if he drowned,” the OnlyFans content creator said. “They didn’t tell me anything … they have to wait for the toxicology report.”
The Bulgaria native recalled how much she tried to help the singer during their relationship as he struggled with mental health issues and substance abuse.
“I tried to get him help and he did want help. There were moments of him saying I want to do better and I’m not this person, but he would change his mind within moments,” the Love & Lashes By Melanie founder told Us. “He was a good person and a good dad, but he had a lot of sadness in his heart from his life. He went from moments of being happy, but it was so hard to keep him happy all the time. I couldn’t do it alone. One person can’t make someone happy. He had things missing in his life that I could not fulfill.”
The “That’s How I Beat Shaq” rapper had been candid about his mental health and substance abuse struggles throughout the years. During a 2019 episode of The Doctors, he revealed that his “official diagnosis” was “multiple personality disorder [dissociative identity disorder], schizophrenia, acute anxiety and manic depression.” Aaron also admitted that he was addicted to huffing.
“I was huffing because I was really f—king stupid and sad, but this is really no excuse,” he shared. “I was huffing because I’m a drug addict.”
Some members of Aaron’s family — including his brother Nick Carter — openly mentioned the performer’s battle with addiction while mourning his death.
“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. I will miss my brother more than anyone will ever know,” the Backstreet Boys musician, 42, wrote via Instagram. “I love you Chizz. Now you get a chance to finally have some peace you could never find here on earth. … God, Please take care of my baby brother.”
Martin, meanwhile, mourned Aaron in multiple social media posts, including a TikTok in which she referred to the Dancing With the Stars alum as her “soulmate.” She and Aaron, who had a rocky romance, shared son Prince, 13 months.
“I was really looking forward to getting married and having more children with him,” she told Us Weekly in November 2022. “I feel like we were very close and I was looking forward to spending the holidays with my family again. I am beyond devastated waiting until I can meet my wonderful soulmate again. We never gave up on our love and I feel like we both couldn’t live without each other.”
Aaron’s twin sister, Angel Carter, is slated to cohost a tribute concert with Lance Bass in honor of her brother on Wednesday, January 18. Nick will perform at the event, called Songs for Tomorrow.
“Aaron dying was the worst day of my life,” Angel, 35, wrote via Instagram in December 2022, announcing the concert. “I have loved him since we were born … it feels like a piece of my soul is gone. And yet, despite all this pain, his passing has lit a fire within me. I feel a calling and responsibility to help other families and continue the conversation to further break the stigmas that surround mental illness.”
Martin told Us on Tuesday that she was not invited to the tribute show. “[I] have a lot of respect for Aaron’s family because they dealt with Aaron all of his life before I did. But I did so much for Aaron,” she emphasized. “I was trying to make sure his mental health was better. I’m a little disappointed I wasn’t invited, but I respect their wishes.”
If you or anyone you know is facing substance abuse issues, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for free and confidential information 24/7. American Addiction Centers also offers help for those struggling with addiction. You can call their support line at 866-244-1070.
