Nick Carter has paid tribute to his younger brother, Aaron.
On Saturday (November 5), TMZ reported that singer and actor Aaron Carter had been found dead at his home in Lancaster, California. Law enforcement officials later revealed to the publication that Carter's body was found "in the bathtub" by the singer's housesitter, who later alerted the authorities.
Aaron - who shared a one-year-old son with his on-and-off again fiancée Melanie Martin - was the younger brother of Backstreet Boys bandmember Nick Carter, and would later shoot to fame in the 1990s after launching his own music career.
Aaron would even go on to tour with the Backstreet Boys in the early 2000s.
Sadly, over the last two decades, Carter would hit headlines for his battles with addiction, legal troubles, and for his seemingly tumultuous relationship with fiancée Martin. It was later reported that he had grown apart from his older brother - something that Nick acknowledges in his touching tribute to his late sibling.
Writing on Instagram on Sunday, the Backstreet Boys star writes: "My heart has been broken today.
"Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded. I have always held onto the hope, that he would somehow, someday want to walk a healthy path and eventually find the help that he so desperately needed."
Sharing a carousel of photos with his little brother, Nick continues: "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. I love you Chizz., now you get a chance to finally have some peace you could never find here on earth…. God, Please take care of my baby brother."
Other stars to pay tribute to Carter following his untimely passing include former fellow teen star and ex-girlfriend Hilary Duff, who wrote on her Instagram page: "For Aaron- I'm deeply sorry that life was so hard for you and that you had to struggle in-front of the whole world."
"You had a charm that was absolutely effervescent... boy did my teenage self love you deeply. Sending love to your family at this time. Rest Easy," Duff concluded the post.
In the music sphere, boyband NSYNC shared the following message on Twitter: "We are saddened by the news of the sudden passing of Aaron Carter today. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and fans during this difficult time. Rest In Peace Aaron."
And boyband New Kids on the Block also tweeted: "We are shocked and saddened about the sudden passing of Aaron Carter. Sending prayers to the Carter family. Rest in peace, Aaron."
And singer-songwriter Diane Warren tweeted: "Fame at a young age is often more a curse than a blessing and Surviving it is not easy. RIP Aaron Carter."
Our thoughts continue to go out to Carter's family, friends, and fans at this time.