Singer Aaron Carter accidentally drowned in his bathtub after taking drugs, his autopsy has revealed.
The child star was found dead at his home in Lancaster, California, last November at the age of 34.
At the time, Carter’s representatives said his cause of death was being investigated.
Now, an autopsy report, obtained by US media outlets, noted the effects of sedatives and inhaling gas as contributing to his death. It said that he had died after becoming “incapacitated” and “submerged underwater”.
The report stated:
“Based on the autopsy findings, investigative reports, and circumstances, as currently known, Mr. Carter became incapacitated while in the bathtub due to the effects of inhaling compressed gas and taking alprazolam.
“This resulted in him becoming submerged under water, unable to breathe, and ultimately led to his death”.
Autopsy report
Alprazolam, often sold under the brand name Xanax, was found in Carter’s system as was the presence of difluoroethane.
Difluoroethane was described by the report as a gas commonly used as a propellant in air spray cleaners for electronic devices that can “induce feelings of euphoria when inhaled”.
It is known to lead to cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest.
Alprazolam – typically prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety disorders, insomnia, and seizures – has depressant effects on the central nervous system which can cause drowsiness and sedation.
Carter’s death was ruled as an accident by the medical examiner.
Aaron Carter’s early stage in career
Carter began performing when he was seven and released two albums, both selling millions of copies. Carter began his career as the lead singer of Dead End. He left the band after two years because he wanted to perform pop music, while the other members were interested in alternative rock.
Carter made his first solo appearance at age 9, singing The Jets’ “Crush on You” when opening for the Backstreet Boys in Berlin in March 1997. The performance was followed by a record contract, and in the fall of 1997, he released his first single “Crush on You”. Carter’s self-titled debut studio album was released on December 1, 1997.
The album achieved gold status in Norway, Spain, Denmark, Canada, and Germany, and was released in the United States on June 16, 1998.
This success led to appearances on Nickelodeon and tours with the Backstreet Boys and on Britney Spears’ Oops!… I Did It Again tour.
Later in his career, he appeared on numerous reality television shows including Dancing with The Stars and a US talk show called The Doctors, where he tested positive for prescription drugs which he said he took for anxiety and sleep.
He entered a rehab facility after his appearance on the show in 2017.
His relationship with his siblings was strained over the years and in 2019, his brother Nick filed a restraining order against him, alleging he threatened to kill his pregnant wife and unborn child.
In a tribute to his “baby brother”, the singer wrote that despite their “complicated relationship, his love for him has never ever faded”.
In January 2020, German artist Jonas Jödicke tweeted that Carter was making unauthorized use of Jödicke’s copyrighted artwork to promote merchandise. Carter replied on Twitter that Jödicke “should’ve taken it as a compliment”. Following the incident, Jödicke was interviewed by Forbes, saying he was “absolutely amazed” at Carter’s response. In June 2021, Carter agreed to pay Jödicke $12,500.
In August 2021, Carter was announced as a performer in the Las Vegas production of Naked Boys Singing! He was let go before the show’s debut because he refused to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
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