Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter, 42, is heartbroken over the sudden death of his younger brother and former child pop star, Aaron Carter, 34.
Aaron died on Saturday, November 5, 2022. He was found dead in his bathtub at his house in Lancaster, California, reports said.
Read: Singer and rapper Aaron Carter dies at 34
On November 6, 2022, Nick posted on Instagram a message describing his love for Aaron despite their "complicated relationship" because of the younger Carter's struggle with addiction.
Nick's full message read: "My heart is broken. 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.
"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.
"I will miss my brother more than anyone will ever know. I love you Chizz.
"Now you can finally have the peace you could never find here on earth….I love you baby brother."
Nick attached to his message pictures of his happier times with Aaron through the years.
BACKSTREET BOYS' TRIBUTE TO AARON
Fans thought Nick might skip the Backstreet Boys' concert in London on Sunday night, November 6, 2022.
But Nick still joined the concert, according to Variety's report.
All five members of the popular '90s boy band couldn't hide their grief when they paid tribute to their "little brother" Aaron.
On stage, Nick was joined by his bandmates Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson.
Kevin said, "Tonight we got a little bit of heavy hearts because we lost one of our family members yesterday.
"We just wanted to find a moment in our show to recognize that Nick’s little brother, Aaron Carter, passed away yesterday at 34 years old.
"He was a part of our family and we thank you guys for all the love and all the well wishes and all the support."
Howie, AJ, and Brian gave Nick a hug as the latter tried to hold back his years. Then they sang a song dedicated to Aaron.
aaron's troubled times
Aaron's personal troubles made headlines through the years.
In 2019, Aaron admitted in a reality show that he is struggling with "multiple mental health issues," a report from CNN said.
His tumultous relationship with his siblings became known to public when his brother Nick and sister Angel filed a restraining order against him in September 2019.
According to reports, Nick claimed that Aaron confessed to harboring violent thoughts against Nick's then pregnant wife and unborn child.
Nick said, at the time, that he hopes that his brother Aaron would get the "proper treatment he needs before any harm comes to himself or anyone else."
Aaron, for his part, denied Nick's claims back then.
Aaron is an American singer-rapper who started his career as a child pop star with hit songs "Crazy Little Party Girl" and "Crush On You" back in the late '90s.
He has a total of five studio albums: Aaron Carter (1997), Aaron's Party Come Get It (2000), Oh Aaron (2001), Another Earthquake (2002), and Love (2018).
He appeared in TV shows such as Lizzie McGuire (2001), 7th Heaven (2004), House of Carters (2006), and Dancing With The Stars (2009).