Pop singer Aaron Carter, brother of Backstreet Boys member Nick, dead at 34

Aaron Carter, the singer-rapper who began performing as a child and had hit albums starting in his teen years, was found dead Saturday at his home in Southern California. He was 34.

Representatives for Carter's family confirmed the singer's death. They did not provide any immediate further comment.

Carter, the younger brother of Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, performed as an opening act for Britney Spears as well as his brother's boy band.

Deputies responded around 11 a.m. local time following reports of a medical emergency at the home in Lancaster, a desert city about 112 kilometres north of downtown Los Angeles, said Deputy Alejandra Parra with the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.

Parra said the deputies found a deceased person at the residence, but she could not immediately confirm it was Carter.

Carter's fiancé, Melanie Martin, asked for privacy as the family grieves.

"We are still in the process of accepting this unfortunate reality," Martin said in a statement Saturday. "Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated."

A day after his brother's death, Nick Carter posted a tribute on Instagram.

"My heart is broken. Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded," the Backstreet Boys singer wrote Sunday, adding: "Addiction and mental illness is the real villain here."

Nick and Aaron Carter had apparently been estranged for several years. In 2019, Nick and their sister, Angel, said they filed a restraining order against Aaron, alleging he had made violent threats.

Aaron's Party, I Want Candy were hit singles

Aaron Carter opened for the Backstreet Boys tour in 1997 — the same year as the release of his gold-selling debut self-titled album. He reached triple-platinum status with his sophomore album, 2000's Aaron's Party (Come Get It), which produced hit singles including the title song and I Want Candy. His videos received regular airplay on Disney and Nickelodeon.

Carter earned acting credits through his appearance on television shows including Lizzie McGuire. He starred alongside his brother Nick and their siblings B.J., Aaron, Leslie and Angel Carter on the E! unscripted series House of Carters in 2006.

Carter made his Broadway debut in 2001 as JoJo in Seussical the Musical. In 2009, Carter appeared on the ABC competition show Dancing with the Stars, finishing fifth with partner Karina Smirnoff. He was featured on the Food Network cooking show Rachel vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off in 2012.

In 2017, Carter opened up about his substance abuse on an episode of The Doctors. He was in rehab that same year after he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and marijuana charges. He checked himself in for treatment on a few occasions in an effort to regain custody of his son Prince.

Carter's fifth and final studio album, LOVE, was released in 2018.