Nick Carter shares emotional note after death of brother Aaron Carter: ‘Addiction and mental illness is the real villain’

‘Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded,’ Nick wrote on Instagram

Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter has spoken out in the wake of the death of his younger brother, singer Aaron Carter, who died on Saturday at the age of 34.

On Sunday, Nick shared a series of photographs of himself and his sibling on Instagram with an emotional note about their relationship. In the caption, the elder brother said his “heart has been broken.”

“Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded. I have always held onto the hope, that he would somehow, someday want to walk a healthy path and eventually find the help that he so desperately needed,” he wrote, before adding: “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.”

Nick concluded the heartbreaking post by saying he’d “miss my brother more than anyone will ever know” and that Aaron would “get a chance to finally have some peace you could never find here on earth….God,Please take care of my baby brother.”

A spokesperson confirmed toThe Independent on Saturday that they were “extremely saddened and shocked” at Aaron’s death and that it was currently “being investigated”.

“We ask that you give the family time and they will have more information when available. We cannot express the outpouring of love coming in,” the statement said.

Nick’s tribute to his brother came on the heels of Aaron’s twin sister, Angel, sharing her own tribute.

“To my twin… I loved you beyond measure. You will be missed dearly. My funny, sweet Aaron,I have so many memories of you and I, and I promise to cherish them. I know you’re at peace now. I will carry you with me until the day I die and get to see you again,” she wrote.

Nick and Angel have had a tumultuous public relationship with Aaron over the years. In 2019, Aaron talked openly about his struggles with mental health and divulged his diagnoses with dissociative identity disorder, schizophrenia, acute anxiety, and manic depression.

That same year, per NBC News, Nick spoke about filing a restraining order against Aaron “due to his alarming behavior and statements after he allegedly said he had thoughts of killing Nick Carter’s wife.”

Aaron vehemently denied the allegations.

Both Nick and Aaron Carter made names for themselves in the ‘90s. Nick was known worldwide as one of the hearthrob Backstreet Boys while Aaron, who periodically opened for the Backstreet Boys, had a successful solo musical career.

Aaron’s self-titled debut album was released in 1997 and his second record, Aaron’s Party (Come and Get It), went triple platinum following its release in 2000.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, the Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.