Inside the final days before Aaron Carter’s ‘shocking’ death

Heavy hearts. Aaron Carter’s death at the age of 34 was “super shocking” to those closest to him, a source exclusively reveals in the magazine’s new issue. Us Weekly.

The 2000s star was found dead at his home in California on Saturday, November 5, a rep confirmed Us. The emergency call was made at 11 a.m. local time, several media reports. Carter’s official cause of death has not yet been released, but the musician struggled with his mental health and had a history of substance abuse.

“Those who have known him for years have never seen Aaron like this [before]”, says the insider Usnoting that friends noted the Florida native had exhibited “bizarre behavior” and “slurred speech” before his death.

Carter has been told by people close to him that “everyone wants him to go to rehab,” but the source says Us the Dancing with the stars alum struggled at first.

Melanie Martin, the ex-fiancée of the “I Want Candy” artist, also expressed concern about her former flame, with whom she shares 11-month-old son Prince. “She regularly tried to help him get off drugs and go to rehab,” says the source. “It was a constant struggle.”

According to the insider, Martin “reached out” to the infirmary on Carter’s behalf, but the effort did not appear to be successful.

The “Aaron’s Party” singer previously opened up about his experience as a first-time father during an exclusive interview with Us December 2021. “The person I am today — I want to be a better version [the person] I was the day before that. So tomorrow I want to be a better version of myself than I was the day before,” he explained. “So that’s what I’m aiming for and really just peace and quiet and practicing those things more. And I do hold myself accountable for my shortcomings.”

Carter and Martin have had a rocky romance, breaking up and getting back together multiple times since getting engaged in June 2020. Although they called it quits earlier this year, the Bulgarian spoke candidly of her sadness after The Carter House death of alum.

“I was really looking forward to getting married and having more kids with him,” she exclusively said Us in a statement on Monday, November 7. “I feel like we were very close and I’m looking forward to spending the holidays with my family again. I’m more disappointed waiting to meet my wonderful soulmate again. We have never given up on our love and I feel that we both could not live without each other.”

The late pop star, meanwhile, has previously spoken openly about her darkest moments. “I thought I was going to die by the time I was 30,” he said Us 2017. “Even when I was 13, 14, I was like, ‘Oh, my God. I’m going to die.’ … I go through a lot of pain, and my pain is reflected in my music.”

For more on Carter’s death, watch the video above and download the latest issue Us Weekly, on newsstands now.

If you or someone you know is dealing with substance abuse problems, please call National Helpline for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services at 1-800-662-4357 for free and confidential information 24/7.