Aaron Carter’s manager has said that ‘cyberbullying’ broke him in a tragic statement.
Carter, who found fame in the 1990s and was the younger brother of Backstreet Boys star Nick, was sadly found dead in his home at the age of 34 earlier this month on 5 November.
At the time, a representative from the singer’s team told PA: "Right now it's a really bad time we're trying to figure out what happened and what the cause of it was.
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"We're just as upset as everyone and hope that fans can give thoughts and prayers to his family."
Officers at the scene in his home in Lancaster, California, reportedly discovered multiple cans of compressed air in the singer’s bathroom, where his body was found, as well as in the bedroom, authorities told TMZ.
The publication also reported that they discovered bottles of prescription pills on the scene.
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Now, his manager has revealed that online trolling had ‘broken down’ Carter over a period of time.
Taylor Helgeson told Page Six of the harassment the late singer was subjected to: “It was like a nightmare. It was nonstop. It was so relentless and, yeah, it did a number on him.”
Helgeson previously told the outlet that he didn’t believe the cause of death to be suicide, but did suggest that his mental health was affected by the ‘relentless’ trolling.
The Big Umbrella Management said: “I wouldn’t go as far as to blame that entirely [for Carter’s death], but I watched that break him down over a long period of time.
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“He never chose his life … I don’t think he was given the same tools that a lot of us are to navigate life in a way that leaves room for us to live sustainable, good lives.”
Carter first admitted that he was struggling with an inhalant addiction during an episode of the American talk show, The Doctors, in 2019.
He claimed that his late sister Leslie Carter, who fatally overdosed from the substance abuse at the age of 25, introduced him to the drug.
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The singer admitted at the time: “It’s something that I’ve kept secret from the whole world until now,”, noting that he began to ‘huff’ when he was ‘about 16’.
Carter then claimed he ‘didn’t really touch’ the aerosols again until he was ‘about 23’ after completing season nine of Dancing With The Stars in 2009.
“I was huffing because I was really f***ing stupid and sad, but this is really no excuse. I was huffing because I’m a drug addict,” he admitted.
In the UK, glues, gases, solvents and aerosols are often referred to as ‘legal highs’ because they are available to buy as household products, the FRANK website explains.
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“Some people think they are safe to use, but they’re not,” the national anti-drug advisory service states.
The site also explains how there are over 50 deaths a year related to these legal highs.
“Of the substances, butane,” which is intended to be used as a gas lighter refill, “is involved in the most deaths.”
Inhaling the substances can cause a user’s heart to beat out of rhythm, which can lead to a heart attack, while some users die from passing out and choking on their vomit.
Meanwhile, long-term use of the solvents can cause muscle, liver and kidney damage, and can even affect brain function in 10 years or more usage.
Carter’s cause of death has not yet been released by the coroner.
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week
Gabriella Ferlita