LA County Coroners have revealed Aaron Carter’s cause of death as a combination of drowning, the effects of alprazolam (generic Xanax), and inhaling difluoroethane — an ingredient used in cans of compressed air.
Aaron Carter’s cause of death has been revealed by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner following the release of his autopsy report. The manner of his death was ruled an accident by the LA County Coroner, with the first cause of death cited as drowning, followed by a combination of difluorethane, which is an ingredient used in cans of compressed air, and alprazolam, the generic form of Xanax.
According to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Alejandra Parra, officers responded to a call on November 5, 2022, regarding a suspicious death at Carter’s residence. Reports have stated that Carter’s live-in housekeeper discovered him unresponsive in his home and called authorities.
Following his death, Carter’s brother and Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter posted a tribute on Instagram with photos of the two as children.
“Sometimes we want to blame someone or something for a loss,” Nick Carter wrote in the caption, “but the truth is that addiction and mental illness (are) the real villain here.”
In September, Aaron Carter enrolled in rehab for a fifth time, hoping to regain custody of his then-ten-month-old son, Prince. He and his former fiancee, Melanie Martin, lost custody of their son due to domestic violence and drug use concerns.
In 2019, Carter revealed in an interview with Entertainment Tonight regarding a DUI arrest that he had been diagnosed with several mental health issues. Weeks later, his brother Nick filed a restraining order against him.
Aaron Carter rose to fame as an opener for the Backstreet Boys in 1997. He released his first studio album at age 9, featuring the hit track “Crush On You,” which became certified gold in December 1997.
His second album, Aaron’s Party (Come and Get It), was released in 2000, featuring fan favorites like “That’s How I Beat Shaq” and a cover of the 1965 classic “I Want Candy.” That album went triple-platinum and launched Carter back to touring, opening for the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears.
In addition to his music career, Carter enjoyed a stint in acting with appearances on Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and reality TV. He also appeared as a contestant on Season 9 of “Dancing With the Stars.”