Aaron Carter’s neighbours heard ‘chilling screams’ as ‘maid’ discovered his body in bathtub

Aaron Carter’s neighbours heard “chilling screams” when his body was found at his Californian home. Distraught friends are in mourning.

Troubled singer Aaron Carter was found “unresponsive” in a bathtub by a staff member after he died of what friends suspect was a drug overdose.

Neighbours said they heard Carter’s employee screaming, “He’s dead, he’s dead,” when she discovered the singer and reality star, 34, at his Californian home in on Saturday morning, sources have exclusively told The US Sun.

Child star-turned rapper Aaron Carter with older brother, Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter, pictured in 2006 at the Playboy Mansion in LA. Picture: Michael Buckner/Getty Images

His shocked on/off partner Melanie Martin, 30, who is the mother of his son Prince, was later spotted at the scene, appearing distraught as she sat outside the house.

Homicide detectives were dispatched, a standard procedure for deaths under such circumstances.

A friend said they believed Aaron did not kill himself and that he had plans to go into the studio to record new music next week.

The devastating news comes just weeks after Carter exclusively told The US Sun in his last-ever interview that he had checked into rehab in an effort to get his son Prince back.

Carter regularly posted photos of himself on social media. Picture: @aaroncarter/Instagram

He had a history of drug problems and had been to rehab. Picture: @aaroncarter/Instagram

Melanie’s mother was granted custody of the couple’s 10-month-old baby boy under a court order, Carter claimed in the interview.

In September, Carter enrolled in a month-long outpatient program at the Los Angeles-based Lionrock rehab centre.

But close friends believe he may have suffered a relapse after facing crippling addiction issues for over a decade.

Some in his inner circle had begged him to go to inpatient rehab in the last fortnight over concerns about his erratic behaviour.

Former child star Aaron Carter pictured in 2001. Picture: Chris Delmas/AFP

Carter (pictured here in 2006) was found dead in his bath. Picture: Chris Delmas/AFP

‘Smoking weed’

Sources said Carter had been smoking marijuana late at night and at times “seemed out of it and high” when talking to friends.

Following the tragedy, Carter’s mum Jane is believed to be flying to California from her home in Florida.

His brother Nick, who is currently on tour in Europe with the Backstreet Boys, is understood to be “devastated” especially as Aaron had been trying to heal their longstanding rift for months.

A spokesman for Aaron told The US Sun: “It is with great regret that I confirm Aaron Carter was found unresponsive this morning in his home in Palmdale, California.

“The family has been notified and will be flying out to Los Angeles.

“Aaron worked very hard towards the end of his life in recovery, to be a good father and to make amends with his family.

“Unfortunately without proper recovery facilities available in our country and open borders, this is why we have an epidemic.”

Two months before his death, Carter threatened to sue his ex-fiance Melanie Martin over domestic violence claims.

‘Chaotic’ scene

An eyewitness at the scene on Saturday afternoon, local time, said it was “chaos” with police cars and news vans, along with neighbours standing around in the street.

Devastated Melanie could be seen wiping away tears and hugging friends as she watched from the sidelines.

Neighbour Tony Cheval, a local photojournalist, told The US Sun: “I have a police scanner for work and heard the call come in that there was an unresponsive male in the bathtub.

“My wife is a nurse and we headed over and banged on the door, she had her AED [automated external defibrillator] with her.

“A woman answered the door and was screaming, ‘He’s dead, he’s dead,’ but wouldn’t let us in because she’d already called the cops.

“I spoke to Melanie afterward and she said it was his maid, and questioned why she wouldn’t let us in.

“Melanie drove up from Orange County, she was distraught.”

Aaron Carter has died at age 34. Picture: Presley Ann/Getty Images for WE tv

A maid reportedly found his body in the bathtub. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

‘Distraught’

A second witness said his house-sitter was seen looking “shaken” and spent time speaking with police inside before being escorted out with belongings in bags.

They added: “The house-sitter was the only person behind the police tape for a long (time).

“Melanie had to wait hours before police would even tell her anything, and she was desperate to see their many pet dogs still in the house.”

A close friend told The US Sun that they believe Carter did not die by suicide.

He had been planning studio sessions with artists next week in Los Angeles to lay down new tunes for an album.

The singer had also assured the friend that he was “excited” to showcase new music and work with artists, who were flying into LA specifically for a duet.

Carter spoke to one of his handlers at around 6pm on Friday night going over his recording plans for the next week.

Aaron and Nick Carter (L) in 2004. The brothers had a rift in recent years but were trying to work it out. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

‘A good heart’

The friend said: “Aaron did not … suicide. He was planning to work on music in the next week with some artists from out of town.

“He was locking down [the] studio, planning travel logistics, and seemed very excited.

“Any suggestion he was suicidal last night when he was in contact with his friends and team is wrong.

“Hearing the news this morning was absolutely devastating.

“Aaron had a good heart and was a really talented artist.

“He was keen to show the world he was a great father and continue strongly with his music career.”

The source added: “Aaron was always adamant he took medication and pills that were prescribed by doctors.

“He would swear blind he did not take narcotics like cocaine.”

Carter appeared with Melanie in his last-ever interview with The US Sun on September 13.

In this final exclusive chat, Carter denied that he had a prescription pill and opioid addiction despite videos that appeared to show him demanding Xanax.

Fans feared for the 1990s icon’s mental and physical wellbeing after he appeared under the influence of drugs in disturbing social media live streams.

The tattooed artist, who had survived 100 seizures from a “dusting” addiction, spent $200,000 so far this year on care to make the couple a “fully functional family.”

Carter said: “I haven’t had any relapses or anything like that, it’s just triggers are big right now for me [and] I want my son back.”