3 of his 4 siblings dead: Nick Carter's tragic family life

Some families seem to be shrouded in tragedy, and one such family is that of the singer Nick Carter, a member of the Backstreet Boys. Unfortunately, three of his four siblings have met tragic ends.

To grasp the full picture of this family's tumultuous journey, we must first introduce Robert Gene Carter and Jane Elizabeth Spaulding. They brought five children into the world: Nick, Bobbie Jean, Leslie, Aaron, and his twin sister, Angel.

Photo: Instagram @angelcharissma

While all the siblings ventured into the entertainment industry, the most renowned were Nick Carter, part of the iconic Backstreet Boys, and Aaron Carter, a well-known rapper and actor.

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Like any family, they faced their fair share of issues, but things took a darker turn with the rise to fame, substance abuse, and the toxicity of their relationships. Their family dynamic was far from ideal, and it was even depicted on the E! Network show 'House of Carters' for one season in 2006.

Much of it stems from their early years, which were reportedly marred by a home filled with substance abuse and violence between their parents, who eventually ended up divorcing.

Foto: Instagram @angelcharissma

The siblings' first heartbreak struck in 2012 when Leslie succumbed to a drug overdose at the age of 25. To add to the pain, Aaron later said that Leslie had abused him several years prior.

"My sister Leslie suffered from bipolar and took lithium to treat it. She never liked the way it made her feel and when she was off of it she did things that she never meant to do I truly believe that. I was 10 years old...." Aaron tweeted in 2019.

And in the same year, 2019, Nick and Angel filed a restraining order against Aaron. That's because he threatened to kill their partners and children, according to E! News.

Foto: Instagram @angelcharissma

"In light of Aaron's increasingly alarming behavior and his recent confessions that he harbors thoughts and intentions of killing my pregnant wife and unborn child, we were left with no choice but to take every measure possible to protect ourselves and our family," Nick said, explaining the restraining order.

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Nick continued his statement, also expressing sympathy for his brother who seemed to be deep into addiction at the time. "We love our brother and truly hope he gets the proper treatment he needs before any harm comes to himself or anyone else," he said.

In 2022, came the family's second major misfortune as, after many family and mental health problems and a struggle to give up his addictions, Aaron was found dead on November 5. It was just days before his 35th birthday, He left his only son, 1-year-old Prince, behind.

The musician and singer was found dead in the bathtub of his home in Los Angeles, California. The autopsy indicated that Aaron died from accidentally drowning in his bathtub. The drowning came after he huffed a gas found in compressed air cans and ingested alprazolam, a sedative to treat disorders such as anxiety.

Shortly after learning about the death of his brother, he posted this on Instagram: "Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded. 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."

"Sometimes we want to blame someone or something for a loss, but the truth is that addiction and mental illness is the real villain here. I will miss my brother more than anyone will ever know," Nick continued.

Foto: Instagram @angelcharissma

The family's third major loss came with the recent death of Bobbie Jean, the third sibling in the family to pass away in a span of 11 years. She died Dec. 23, 2023, at the age of 41.

And although she was away from the spotlight, People reported that in June 2023, June, she had been arrested in Florida for shoplifting $50 worth of markers and stickers from Hobby Lobby and possession of fentanyl.

Bobbie Jean was found dead just one year after Aaron's death and in very similar circumstances. She was found unconscious in the bathroom of her home and, although she was taken to a nearby hospital, she was dead on arrival, according to TMZ.

Bobbie Jean's cause of death was released two months later. According to the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner, she died from "intoxication by the combined effects of fentanyl and methamphetamine." The death was ruled as an accidental overdose. Just like those of her two siblings.

“I am in shock from learning of the sudden death of my daughter, Bobbie Jean; and I will need time to process the terrible reality of this happening for the third time,” the family's matriarch said in a statement. Her mom later gave the eulogy at Bobbie Jean's funeral.

Undoubtedly, despite the fact that they did not have the best of relationships, all members of the Carter family loved each other and the pain of losing these three members has been heavy to bear for the three members remaining: Nick, his sister Angel, and mom Jane. The father, Bob Carter, died in 2017, at age 65.

In an Instagram tribute to her sister, Angel Carter said this: "Growing up, I was your baby, and you were my best friend... "Life wasn’t fair to you, that I know. Sometimes, it feels like you didn’t have a shot, no matter what."

"I know why Leslie, Aaron, and now you ended up in the circumstances that you did. I share that pain we experienced during our childhood and I’m sorry you didn’t have an opportunity for a better life," Angel continued. "We all need to break down barriers, reduce stigmas, and cultivate a society where seeking mental health support is met with understanding and encouragement."

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