Coroner reveals Aaron Carter’s cause of death: drowning, with drug use a factor

The Los Angeles County medical examiner on Tuesday revealed the cause of death for “I Want Candy” singer Aaron Carter, who was found dead in November 2022.

According to information in the coroner database, the singer drowned at his home in Lancaster. The coroner said that “effects of difluoroethane and alprazolam” — also known as compressed gas and Xanax, respectively — were factors in his death.

His death was ruled an accident.

On Nov. 5, law enforcement sources told The Times that Carter was found dead in a bathtub at his home. Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies said they received a call about 11 a.m. from a housesitter who found him unresponsive.

Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter confirmed news of his brother’s death in an emotional statement shared on social media.

“My heart is broken. Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded,” he wrote on Instagram. “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.”

Born on Dec. 7, 1987, Carter kicked off his career at age 9 with the release of his self-titled album in 1997.

In addition to music, Carter gained a following with various television appearances. In 2006 he starred in the E! Entertainment Television reality series “House of Carters.” He also appeared on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”

In the last decade Carter’s music transitioned from pop to hip-hop and R&B. He spoke openly about his struggles with mental health conditions and substance abuse.

Carter was cremated in November and his family will spread Carter’s ashes in the Florida Keys this spring, TMZ reported.

According to his mother, Jane Schneck, St. Jude’s Children Hospital created a memorial fund in Carter’s name.

“He loved visiting hospitals and [making] children happy,” she wrote on Facebook.