Aaron Carter: Singer and brother of Backstreet Boys' Nick dies aged 34

Singer and rapper Aaron Carter has died at the age of 34.

He was the younger brother of the Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter.

The website TMZ said Carter was found dead in his bath at his home in Lancaster, California, on Saturday morning. Representatives of his team confirmed his death, PA reported.

"Right now, it's a terrible time; we're trying to figure out what happened and what the cause of it was," they said.

"We're just as upset as everyone and hope fans can give his family thoughts and prayers."

TMZ also reported Los Angeles County police arrived at the scene at around 11:00 local time (18:00 GMT) after receiving a report of a drowning.

Carter started his career opening for the boy band Backstreet Boys on several tours and concerts and had a successful solo career.

During the late 90s and early noughties, he sold millions of copies of his four albums, the first of which was when he was only nine.

His second album, Aaron's Party (Get It), was released in 2000 and went triple platinum.

I Did It Again tour. It featured the singles I Want Candy, Aaron's Party (Get It), and That's How I Beat Shaq. Following the album, he again supported the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears on the Oops!...

As he grew older, Carter transitioned into rap and appeared in Broadway musicals and on the US TV show Dancing With The Stars.

He faced several struggles, checking in to rehab several times and filing a bankruptcy petition in 2013 over millions of dollars of debt, much of it tax-related.

He also had several run-ins with authorities over drug possession and reckless driving.

Earlier this year, he told the Daily Mail he wanted no longer to be seen as a "train wreck."

"I am not how some people try to paint me," he told the outlet. "If somebody wants to call me a train wreck, I've been a train that's been wrecked multiple times and derailed by many different things."

Carter's son Prince was born in 2021, and according to The Hollywood Reporter, he checked into rehab earlier this year to gain custody of him.

Following the announcement of Carter's death, Prince's mother, Melanie Martin, said she was "still in the process of accepting this unfortunate reality."

"Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated," she added.

Fellow '90s popstars New Kids on the Block paid tribute to Carter, saying they were "shocked and saddened" by his death.