Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter mourned the death of his younger brother Aaron Carter on Sunday, saying addiction and mental illness were the "real villain" behind his brother's death.
"My heart is broken. Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded. I have always held on to the hope that he would somehow, someday want to walk a healthy path and eventually find the help that he so desperately needed," 42-year-old Nick wrote in an Instagram post in which he shared pictures of him and his brother who died at the age of 34.
Aaron, a former pop star turned rapper, was found dead in a bathtub Saturday morning at his home in Lancaster, California, CNN reported. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to local authorities.
"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. I love you Chizz. Now you can finally have the peace you could never find here on earth....I love you baby brother," Nick added in his Instagram post.
The brothers had a complicated relationship over the years due to Aaron's "alarming" behavior and thoughts. In 2019, Nick filed a restraining order against Aaron, claiming in a statement on Twitter that Aaron allegedly made a "recent confession that he harbors thoughts and intentions of killing my wife and unborn child."
"After careful consideration, my sister Angel and I regret that we were required to seek a restraining order against our brother Aaron today," Nick wrote at the time. "We were left with no choice, but to take every measure possible to protect ourselves and our family."
He added that he still loved Aaron and hoped that he would seek "the proper treatment he needs before any harm comes to himself or anyone else."
In response to the restraining order, Aaron tweeted: "So my brother just got a restraining order against me. And I was just served lol...Take care. @nickcarter we're done for life."
Take care. @nickcarter we’re done for life.
— AARON CARTER (@aaroncarter) September 17, 2019
"I haven't seen him in four years. And I don't intend to ... I am astounded at the accusations being made against me, and I do not wish harm to anyone, especially my family," Aaron continued in other tweets.
Aaron had a career as an actor, singer, and rapper, and first became a pop singer in 1997 when he released four studio albums, including his self-titled debut album when he was just 9 years old, according to TMZ.
He also opened on tour for the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears before going on his first solo tour in 2000, according to People magazine, and appeared alongside Nick and their three siblings Bobbie Jean, Leslie and Angel in their short-lived 2006 E! reality show House of Carters. Taking a route as a rap singer, Aaron released his fifth and final studio album LØVË in 2018.
Newsweek reached out to the Big Umbrella Management, the agency representing Aaron for comment.
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