Bob Carter, the father of Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter and his younger brother, pop star Aaron Carter, has died, according to TMZ. The 65-year-old was in Florida at the time of his death. The family believes that he suffered a heart attack.
Bob Carter is survived by his four children, Nick, Aaron, Angel, and Bobbie. His daughter, Leslie, passed away in 2012.
Here is what you need to know:
1. Aaron & Nick Have Tweeted About Their Dad’s Death
Nick Carter and his brother, Aaron, took to Twitter shortly after the news of their dad’s death hit the internet. Both Carter brothers confirmed the tragic news. Nick asked for privacy during this difficult time and a clearly emotional Aaron posted the last picture that he has with his dad.
I am heartbroken to share the news that our father, Robert, passed away last night…
While we learn more about the cause of death, and begin the grieving process, we ask that our privacy be respected at this difficult time.
Aaron posted the following message on Twitter, shortly after his older brother.
Since posting that tweet, Aaron has taken to both Instagram and Twitter to post more photos and messages about losing his dad.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUNA0X1D6n5/
2. It Is Believed He Died of a Heart Attack
The Carter family believes that Bob died of a heart attack. According to TMZ, he was doing some things around the house and was out in the sun for a prolonged period of time before he began experiencing chest pains. He also had a “twitching in his arm.”
Rather than seek medical attention, Bob decided to go to sleep. Sadly, he didn’t wake up the next day.
3. Nick’s Relationship With His Parents Has Been Estranged at Times
In a 2013 sit-down with Dr. Phil, Nick Carter spoke about the tragic death of his sister, Leslie, and talked about how his family began blaming him for her death.
“I started to get blamed by the rest of the family. They were blaming me for the death. I felt it was unfair, especially with all the things I have done and continue to do for them,” Carter told Dr. Phil.
Nick Carter went on to talk about his dad, Bob. During the interview, Nick talked to Dr. Phil about his father’s “dominating personality.”
“I became the father in a lot of ways, due to the fact that I was making more money than my father. I love my family. But there comes a point when you really have to ask yourself if you are helping or hurting them,” he said.
He said that the relationship that he had with his family had become “toxic” at times.
You can watch a portion of Nick’s interview with Dr. Phil in the video below.
In 2014, Radar Online reported that Nick had cut ties with his parents because they had been using them for money. Whether or not the story had any truth to it, Nick had tweeted a few things about his mother in the weeks prior.
Wish my mother would stop sending hurtful and hateful emails to me and my wife.Can’t people just be happy for me? Or leave me alone. #hurt
According to TMZ, all of the Carters were on “good terms” with Bob before he passed away.
4. Bob Carter Was on the Family’s Reality Show, ‘House of Carters’
House of Carters was a reality television series that aired on E! back in 2006. In the eight episodes of the show, fans got to watch Nick and his siblings as they tried to navigate life with each other while trying to get their respective careers off the ground.
You can check out the first episode of the show in the video below.
5. Nick & Aaron’s Sister, Leslie, Died in 2012
Back in 2012, the Carter family lost Leslie Carter after she overdosed. She was just 25 years old.
“Our family is grieving right now and it’s a private matter. We are deeply saddened for the loss of our beloved sister, daughter, and granddaughter, Leslie Carter. We request the utmost privacy during this difficult time,” the family said in a statement to Access Hollywood at the time.
Leslie was survived by her husband, Mike, and the couple’s then-10-month-old daughter, Alyssa Jane Ashton.