Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter has paid tribute to his “baby brother” Aaron after he was found dead.
The singer, 42, wrote on Twitter that his “heart is broken” and uploaded several photos of the pair in their younger years.
“Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded,” he posted on Sunday.
“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.”
He added that “addiction and mental illness are the real villains here”, signing off the post: “I love you baby brother.”
Carter, 34, was found dead in a bath at his Los Angeles home on Saturday, according to reports.
Image: Nick (left) and Aaron Carter in New York in 2000. Pic: AP
He was discovered by a house sitter at around 11am that day, but attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, local authorities said.
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The singer, rapper and actor, was best known for his songs Aaron’s Party (Come Get It), I Want Candy, and his appearances on the TV shows Lizzie McGuire and Dancing With The Stars.
In 2012, the Carter brothers’ sister Leslie died after falling in the shower, with authorities ruling she died from an overdose of prescription medication.
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Image: Carter sported face tattoos in his later life. Pic: AP
In 2017, he attended rehab after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and marijuana charges.
He revealed in a 2019 episode of the talk show The Doctors that he was taking medication for multiple personality disorder, manic depression and acute anxiety.
The same year, Nick Carter and his other sister Angel filed a restraining order against him over claims he threatened to kill Carter’s pregnant wife and unborn child.
Image: Aaron Carter at the 2010 Grammys
Attended rehab again this year
Earlier this year, he checked into rehab again in the hope of regaining custody of Prince, the son he shared with his fiance Melanie Martin.
Tributes flooded social media after news of his death broke.
Actress and singer Hilary Duff, who played Lizzie McGuire, posted a tribute on Instagram, writing: “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.
Image: Hilary Duff and Aaron Carter in 2003
“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.”
US boy band New Kids On The Block shared a black and white photo of Carter and wrote on Twitter: “We are shocked and saddened about the sudden passing of Aaron Carter.
“Sending prayers to the Carter family. Rest in peace, Aaron.”
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
Image: The fire gutted the main stage
Image: Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Image: Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
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The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Image: Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
An American Idol TV executive and her husband have been found dead in their LA home.
Robin Kaye was a music supervisor on the long-running reality TV series.
The bodies of the 70-year-old and her husband Thomas were discovered after officers conducted a welfare check at their home.
Both had died from gunshot wounds.
Image: Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas. Pic: Facebook
Detectives say Raymond Boodarian has been arrested in connection with their deaths.
It is alleged the 22-year-old had burgled their property while they were away on 10 July – killing the couple upon their return.
According to Los Angeles Police, there were “no signs of forced entry or trouble” at the property.
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Ms Kaye was an industry veteran – and had previously worked on shows including Lip Sync Battle and The Singing Bee, as well as several Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.
In a statement, an American Idol spokesperson said: “Robin has been a cornerstone of the Idol family since 2009 and was truly loved and respected by all who came in contact with her.
“Robin will remain in our hearts forever and we share our deepest sympathy with her family and friends during this difficult time.”
Huge steel fences have been erected to prevent ticketless fans from watching the Oasis reunion tour in Manchester.
Liam and Noel Gallagher will resume their sold-out run of shows – their first since 2009 – with a performance at Heaton Park tonight, and two more on Saturday and Sunday.
While tens of thousands bought tickets for Oasis’sfirst two shows last weekend, crowds gathered to glimpse the large screens above the stage in the distance – in an area dubbed “Gallagher Hill” by some on social media.
Image: People walk past a temporary security fence erected ahead of concerts by Oasis in Heaton Park on 1 July. Reuters file pic
Manchester City Council has now said more steel fences have been erected around parts of the park to prevent ticketless fans from watching the gigs, and to protect nature in the park.
“After taking stock of how the first two nights went, additional measures have now been deemed necessary and will be in place for the next three concerts,” it said.
“The erection of the fencing has a dual purpose – both to protect the environment from further damage and to dissuade people from gathering there.
“The necessary measure means the concert will no longer be visible from this area.”
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Friday: Excited fans at Oasis homecoming gig
The fences will cover a large area of the hill within the park’s cattle field, which is being developed as a new woodland area with around 300 young trees planted.
The council added that there would be no facilities for people without a ticket, and said the event area is “double-walled with solid high security fencing all the way round”.
More than 2,000 event security staff and police officers will also be on duty around the site “to ensure both the safety and wellbeing of ticket-holders and that only those who have tickets access the concert”, it said.
John Hacking, the council’s executive member for employment, skills and leisure, also said in a statement that “unfortunately our hand has been forced in having to put these additional measures in place”.
He added: “Our advice to music fans who don’t have tickets for the concerts is to head into the city centre instead.
“The whole city is going all out to celebrate and help everyone have a good time.
“We’ve got some fantastic things going on with a real party atmosphere for everyone to enjoy, whether they’ve got tickets for the Oasis gigs or not.”