MMusician Nick Carter has reacted dismayed at the untimely death of his brother Aaron, blaming drugs and the ex-child star’s mental health. “My heart is broken today. Although my brother and I had a complicated relationship, my love for him never waned,” Carter wrote on Instagram Sunday.

The truth is that addiction and mental illness are the real villains here. He had always hoped that Aaron would eventually find a healthy path. Now he has the chance to finally find peace in the afterlife. “God please take care of my little brother,” wrote the 42-year-old.

Carter was found dead at his home in California on Saturday. He was 34 years old. Millions of girls were in love with Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter’s younger brother in the late ’90s, when he was rising to stardom with hits like “Crush On You” and “Aaron’s Party.” He was still a child then.

Since then, comeback attempts have repeatedly failed. Most recently, the teen star made bad news instead of music. So Nick and Aaron argued publicly and made bad allegations. In 2019, Nick claimed his younger brother made threats against the family.