Aaron Carter’s Autopsy Reveals His Cause Of Death

After an extensive investigation, a coroner has determined Aaron Carter’s cause of death. The former child star was found dead on Nov. 5 at his California home, and now autopsy results obtained by People have ruled that the 34-year-old singer-rapper died in an accidental drowning after being “incapacitated while in the bathtub.” The findings from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner stated that Carter had inhaled difluoroethane, a gas that is used in cans of compressed air, and taken a generic form of Xanax called alprazolam prior to drowning.

Carter’s representative Roger Paul confirmed his death to Bustle at the time, saying they were “extremely saddened and shocked” by his passing. TMZ initially broke the news when Carter was found at home in Lancaster, California, after the Los Angeles Police Department was called to the scene at 11 a.m. on Nov. 5. The 911 caller reportedly said he’d drowned in the tub. A statement released shortly afterward said, “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 autopsy results haven’t provided closure for everyone, with Carter’s ex-fiancée Melanie Martin not satisfied with the conclusion. “It claims death is by drowning but also adds he was wearing a T-shirt and necklace in the bathtub which doesn’t make sense, why would he be in a bathtub with clothes on?” Martin said in a statement to TMZ. “I am still in shock and still miss Aaron every day. I don’t understand the chain of events and this report only has us asking more questions.”

Carter’s first success as a singer came in his early childhood, releasing his first album in 1997 at age 9, and going on to release hits like “I Want Candy” and “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It).” He also ventured into acting in 2001 with a guest starring role on Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire and later got into reality TV. He and his siblings, including his older brother Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, had an E! reality series called House of Carters in 2006, and he competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2009.

The singer struggled with addiction along the way, and he sought treatment in 2011 as he was working on a music comeback. The singer continued to battle prescription drug dependence, and during a September 2017 episode of The Doctors, he talked about how he was trying to give them up. He said he was taking them for multiple mental health issues, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety, per TMZ. Carter began a fifth rehab stint in September 2022, per the Los Angeles Times. He hoped to get custody of his son, Prince, who was born in late 2021. “I haven’t had any relapses or anything like that, it’s just triggers are big right now for me [and] I want my son back,” he told the Sun.

Just two days before his death, Carter released the music video for “Lately,” a collaboration with the musician Checkthestar.

The loss stunned his fans, who paid tribute to him on social media afterward. “How I Beat Shaq by Aaron Carter is one of the best songs in history,” one tweeted. “I’m sad to hear of Aaron’s passing. Please respectfully listen to his hits today.” Another recalled how he was “everywhere” in the late ’90s and early 2000s, adding, “It’s hard to imagine him not being here anymore.”

“Aaron Carter truly loved life,” his team said, in part, in a second statement issued to Bustle. “He was free-spirited and sought all the pleasures and pleasantries this world has to offer. Because of this attitude and approach to living, he was able to give so freely and energetically when it came to his music and his acting. We are sad to have to let him go, and we’ll miss him tremendously.”

If you or someone you know is seeking help for substance use, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).