Midway through the group’s show in London, Kevin Richardson got serious talking about Aaron’s sudden death on Saturday at age 34. He said during the group’s 29 years together, they had experienced “highs and lows”.
While Richardson spoke of their plan to recognize the “I Want Candy” and “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It)” singer during the show, the other band members — AJ McLean, Howie Dorough and Brian Littrell — hugged Nick, who was openly sobbing on the stage. They went on to sing their hit “No Place,” which is about family. Photos of Aaron and Nick flashed on the screen during the emotional performance.
Some of the photos were used in the social media tribute Nick posted after Aaron was found dead in his L.A. home on Saturday morning. Nick, who was estranged from his sibling, reflected in his post about their “complicated relationship” due to Aaron’s addiction and mental illness
Angel Carter Conrad, Aaron’s twin sister, also posted a tribute to him with old photos of them as babies and toddlers.
Aaron’s on-again/off-again fiancée Melanie Martin, with whom he shared son Prince, has also posted videos. One of her crying while driving. Another was a throwback of Aaron playfully dancing. She captioned it, “Forever posting.” She told the Associated Press in a statement, “We are still in the process of accepting this unfortunate reality. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.”
On Saturday, Aaron’s housekeeper frantically called 911 at 10:58 a.m. after reportedly finding him unresponsive in the bathtub of his Lancaster, Calif., home, which had been on the market.
Aaron was an undeniable teen heartthrob with his chart-topping songs and pop star good looks. However, things have long been spiraling for the House of Carters star who also appeared on Dancing With the Stars, in the Broadway musical Seussical and Off Broadway revival of The Fantasticks. He’s had many arrests and turbulent relationships amid his personal struggles and also dealt with bankruptcy and debt.
In September, he entered voluntarily entered a reha? program — his fifth time — after Martin’s mother took custody of his son Prince. However, he later said he hadn’t relapsed, but just wanted his son back after a fight with Martin. Just two weeks later, police did a welfare check after it was reported he had been huffing during an Instagram Live, but authorities said he was OK.
In the days before Aaron’s death, there was general concern about his well-being. He had been pulled over on suspicion of DUI just three days before, but had been cleared. Aaron was big on doing hours long Instagram Lives and a cryptical clip from one of his final ones has been circulating in which he claimed that Martin, with whom he had been hot and cold since they started dating in 2020, told him he was “going to die.”
