Aaron Carter, LØVË Artist and Former Child Star, Dead at 34

Aaron Carter, LØVË Artist and Former Child Star, Dead at 34
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Aaron Carter, the former child pop star known for his albums Aaron's Party and LØVË, has died, PEOPLE confirms. He was 34.

The musician was found dead Saturday morning at his house in Lancaster, California, according to TMZ, who first reported the news. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department tells PEOPLE a body was discovered just before 11 a.m., but police did not officially identify the victim.

A rep for Carter declined to comment but noted "a statement will be released shortly by the family and management. Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time."

Police sources tell PEOPLE the star was found by a house sitter in his bathtub, and that there were prescription pills and drug paraphernalia in his bedroom. Though a cause of death has not yet been determined, the police sources believe he lost consciousness and drowned.

RELATED: Celebrities React to Death of Musician Aaron Carter at Age 34: 'Just a Terrible Tragedy'

Aaron, who is the younger brother of Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter, rose to fame in 1997 with his self-titled debut album, followed by Aaron's Party (Come Get It) (2000), Oh Aaron (2001) and Another Earthquake! (2002).

HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 16: Singer Aaron Carter attends "The Night Time Show" Holiday Special benefiting Children's Hospital Los Angeles hosted by Stephen Kramer Glickman at Hollywood Improv on December 16, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 16: Singer Aaron Carter attends "The Night Time Show" Holiday Special benefiting Children's Hospital Los Angeles hosted by Stephen Kramer Glickman at Hollywood Improv on December 16, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Aaron Carter

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

His early hits included "Aaron's Party (Come Get It)," "That's How I Beat Shaq" and his cover of The Strangeloves' "I Want Candy." Aaron opened on tour for the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears before embarking on his first solo tour in 2000.

For more on Aaron Carter, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.

In recent years, Aaron pivoted to rap and released his fifth studio album LØVË in 2018, 16 years after his previous album.

The young multi-hyphenate was also an actor, appearing as himself in such shows as Lizzie McGuire and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, as well as roles in 7th Heaven and the movies Fat Albert (2004), Popstar (2005) and Supercross (2005).

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Aaron Carter poses for portrait sitting in an Ulloo42 chair at Visual Snow Initiative visits The Artists Projecton April 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Bezjian/Getty Images for The Artists Project)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Aaron Carter poses for portrait sitting in an Ulloo42 chair at Visual Snow Initiative visits The Artists Projecton April 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Bezjian/Getty Images for The Artists Project)

Michael Bezjian/Getty for The Artists Project Aaron Carter

Additionally, he made his Broadway debut as JoJo in Seussical the Musical back in 2001, and he appeared in a 2011 Off-Broadway production of The Fantasticks.

RELATED: Aaron Carter Welcomes First Baby After Fiancée Melanie Martin Undergoes Emergency C-Section

Aaron appeared alongside Nick, 42, their three siblings Bobbie Jean, Leslie and Angel in their short-lived 2006 E! reality show House of Carters, and he competed on season 9 of Dancing with the Stars in 2009, coming in 5th with partner Karina Smirnoff.

Before coming out as bisexual in 2017, Aaron dated such stars as Hilary Duff and Lindsay Lohan in his youth. He got engaged to model Melanie Martin in 2020 and they welcomed a baby boy named Prince, 11 months, last November.

Aaron Carter (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)
Aaron Carter (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage Aaron Carter

"I'm going to be a good father. I know it," he told PEOPLE in 2018. "I want lots of kids, lots of stability, lots of happiness and laughter and learning and having fun. It's going to be good."

The on-and-off couple called off their engagement a week later before getting back together in December and breaking up again in February. Their relationship status at the time of his death was unclear.

RELATED VIDEO: Aaron Carter on Coming Out as Bisexual and His Plans for a Family: 'I Know I'm Going to Be a Great Father'

Aaron faced legal troubles, as well as struggles with addiction and mental health over the years, for which he sought treatment. Most recently, he was pulled over for suspicion of DUI on Tuesday but officers found that he wasn't under the influence after conducting a field sobriety test, according to TMZ.

"I'm happy that I came out on the other side," Aaron told PEOPLE in 2018. "I was a very happy baby growing up. [Now] I just want to have fun, be healthy — mind, body, soul, emotions … all of those things, and really be responsible for my own actions too."