Aaron Carter’s Family Speaks Out On Addiction

Aaron Carter’s Family Says Death Was Overdose, Not Drowning

The family of Aaron Carter has recently spoken out, claiming the singer’s death was not the result of drowning but rather an overdose that they say may be connected to an alleged $800 drug deal he made the night he died.

Carter, the “I Want Candy” singer who had previously undergone addiction treatment in 2011 and 2018, was found dead in his bathtub in his California home on November 5, 2022. He was 34.

At the time of his death, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson stated they had responded to a 911 call regarding a possible drowning at Carter’s home around 11 a.m. local time, where they reported finding the singer dead upon arrival in his bathroom. Carter is survived by his 11-month-old son, Prince, and Fiancé, Melanie Martin.

Following the news of Carter’s death, authorities gave no further information about the singer’s sudden death. Their investigation remains “underway,” leaving no official cause of death. What sources have commented on, however, are details suggesting no signs of “foul play,” as well as signs of a possible drug overdose.

According to authorities, who first broke the news to Thirty Mile Zone (TMZ), law enforcement found multiple cans of compressed air in the “Sooner Or Later” singer’s bedroom and bathroom. Compressed air is a common household product that can be used, or “huffed,” to produce psychoactive effects similar to a drug “high.” Along with the air cans, officials reported finding several prescription medication bottles.

As of January 2023, the coroner’s office officials have yet to hand down an official cause of death.

Carter’s Family Speaks Out

As noted previously, Carter’s family has claimed that the singer’s death was not the result of drowning but rather a “drug deal gone wrong.” Additionally, Carter’s mother, Jane Carter, and fiancé have stated that the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office informed them that no water was found in Carter’s lungs, which they say rules out drowning as a potential cause of death.

According to a statement given to the New York Post, Martin, who recently regained full custody of their son, claimed she found text messages on her late fiancé’s phone with a conversation about owing an unidentified person $800 for an unknown substance.

She went on to say that Carter told the unidentified person that he was “not in need of the drug anymore,” but that the person responded, stating that they were still owed the money. The conversation ended with Carter asking “if he was being threatened,” with no response from the unidentified person.

Carter’s family believes he may have met up with this person before his untimely passing, and the alleged drugs may be to blame. As a result, the family has asked law enforcement to investigate this alleged drug deal further.

Aaron Carter’s Struggle With Addiction Was Well-Known

Sadly, Aaron Carter’s struggle with addiction was well-known, as the former childhood star had previously been admitted to treatment twice for substance abuse in 2011 and 2018 and had been in and out of the public eye as stories of his drug use surfaced.

In 2019, Carter opened up in an interview during an episode of “The Doctors” about his struggles with multiple mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, anxiety, manic depression, and multiple personality disorder. He also admitted to having an addiction to huffing, which he said was “something that I’ve kept secret until now.”

“I was huffing because I was really f— stupid and sad but this is really no excuse,” he stated. “I was huffing because I’m a drug addict.” During the episode, host Dr. Travis Stork also revealed that a urine sample Aaron provided also “tested positive for Marijuana, Hydrocodone, and Benzodiazepines.”

On November 7, 2022, two days after the “I’m All About You” singer’s death, Nick Carter, Aaron’s brother and member of the boy band Backstreet Boys, shared a post on Instagram paying tribute to his younger brother.

“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.”

He added that “addiction and mental illness is the real villain here,” which is what he believes to be the cause of his brother’s death.

The Importance Of Getting Help For Addiction

Stories like Aaron Carter’s are tragically an all-too-common occurrence today. Regardless of social status, stories of someone who has been openly struggling with substance abuse or a mental illness, only to pass tragically before getting the help they need, are likely something most people have heard before.

Like Aaron Carter, many people who tragically succumb to addiction do so after many failed attempts to quit. This pattern of failed attempts is evident, whether it be multiple unsuccessful stays at an inpatient rehab facility or several failed attempts to quit using methods such as online therapy or support groups.

Many people who decide to quit may abstain from their substance of choice, rather than treat the underlying causes of their addiction. While abstinence is a key part of recovery, it is not a way to escape the true illness that is addiction.

Addiction starts from within and is often the result of underlying mental health issues such as trauma, depression, or improper coping strategies. Negative reinforcement caused by drug use can drive cravings for a substance and thus further an addiction. Without tackling these root causes, you may find yourself in a situation where you cannot deal with the mental urges and triggers that cause you to use in the first place.

It’s important to understand that addiction is a disease and that getting help for substance abuse is just as important as any other disease: the sooner, the better. While tragic, stories like Aaron Carter’s remind us that addiction can strike at any moment and can be fatal in the blink of an eye.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or mental health, don’t hesitate to get help. To find out what options are available, contact a treatment provider today, free of charge.