Aaron Carter’s death was officially ruled an accident, but the family sees inconsistencies.
Aaron Carter, the brother of Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter, was found unconscious in his Lancaster home in November 2022 and was pronounced dead at the scene. Now the singer’s family is suing doctors and pharmacies for wrongful death. The lawsuit alleges that medical staff were complicit in Carter’s death.
The lawsuit says Aaron Carter should not have been prescribed opioids given his medical history. The lawsuit alleges that incorrect prescribing and dispensing of medication, which impaired his judgment and mental health, contributed to his death, The Independent reports. Neither doctors nor pharmacies have yet commented on the allegations.
Official papers raise questions
Official documents released by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner announced in April that the primary cause of death was drowning. The secondary causes of death listed were the effects of alprazolam, a generic form of Xanax, and inhalation of difluoroethane. Because of this, the death was classified as an accident.
Carter’s ex-fiancée Melanie Martin said at the time that the autopsy report failed to give her “closure.” She told TMZ that she doubted the medical examiner’s findings: “The autopsy results are not closure for me. It is claimed that the death occurred by drowning, but it is also added that Carter was wearing a T-shirt and a necklace in the bathtub, which doesn’t make sense because why would he be in a bathtub with clothes on?” He further said she: “I’m still in shock and still miss Aaron every day. I don’t understand the chain of events and this report only raises more questions.”
“My heart is broken”
Aaron Carter’s brother Nick Carter also publicly commented on the tragic death at the time: “My heart is broken. Even though my brother and I had a complicated relationship, my love for him never faded. I always clung to the hope that one day he would find a healthy path and finally find the help he so desperately needed.” He continued: “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, little brother”.