Aaron Carter, who was open about his battle with substance abuse, rose to fame as a child star. – Photo: AP
Aaron Carter reportedly missed a rehab therapy appointment last Friday (Nov 4), the day before his body was found in his California home.
The late singer agreed to attend outpatient rehab in September but stopped briefly before being readmitted last week, TMZ reported Tuesday.
Carter did not attend his online session on Friday and his fiancee, Melanie Martin, informed the facility of his death when they contacted her to tell her of his absence. It’s unknown when Carter died, but the last known contact with him was early Friday morning.
Carter, who was 34, started the rehab programme shortly after a welfare check was conducted in September after fans became concerned he was huffing on Instagram Live.
Friends and family of the singer were reportedly concerned about him in the days leading up to his death, as well.
Cans of compressed air were reportedly discovered in Carter’s home following his sudden death over the weekend.
The cans were found in the singer’s bedroom and bathroom, and prescription pills were also present in the California house, TMZ reported, citing law enforcement sources.
Officials haven’t publicly confirmed the presence of either substance or said whether either was a factor in Carter’s death.
Huffing compressed air can cause a brief high with dangerous side effects including paralysis, according to the American Addiction Centers.
Carter was found dead Saturday in his bathtub.
The artiste, who was open about his battle with substance abuse, rose to fame as a child star with hits such as I Want Candy and Aaron’s Party.
Family members paid tribute after his death, including older brother and Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter, who said his love “never ever faded” despite a strained relationship.
“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,” Nick, 42, wrote Sunday on Instagram.
“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.”
Officials don’t suspect foul play in Carter’s death, according to TMZ, which reports the singer didn’t leave a suicide note. It could be months before the Los Angeles County coroner releases an official cause of death. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
