Los Angeles County police said officers arrived at the scene of his death on Saturday at around 11:00 local time (18:00 GMT) after receiving a report of drowning.

Singer-rapper Aaron Carter, the younger brother of Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter, has died at the age of 34.

Website TMZ said Carter was found dead in his bath at his home in Lancaster, California, on Saturday morning.

A representative of the singer’s team, who confirmed the news of his death to the PA news agency, said they were still trying to determine the cause of his death.

“Right now, it's a really bad time. We're trying to figure out what happened and what the cause of it was,” the representative said.

“We're just as upset as everyone and hope that fans can give thoughts and prayers to his family.”

Carter began his career opening for the Backstreet Boys on a number of tours and concerts, and also had a successful solo career.

The musician, who began performing at seven, sold millions of copies of his four albums during the late 90s and early noughties, the first of which was his self-titled debut album released in 1997 at age nine.

His second album, Aaron's Party (Come Get It), was released in 2000 and went triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The album featured the singles I Want Candy, Aaron's Party (Come Get It), and That's How I Beat Shaq.

After releasing the album, Carter supported the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears' on the Oops!... I Did It Again tour.

Growing older, Carter transitioned into the rap genre and into acting, appearing in programmes that include comedy series Lizzie McGuire as well as in Broadway musicals and on the US TV show, Dancing With The Stars.

He also appeared in a US talkshow, The Doctors, in 2017, where he tested positive for prescription drugs, which he said was for anxiety and sleep. He entered a rehab facility after his appearance on the show.

Carter faced a number of struggles, checking in to rehab several times and filing a bankruptcy petition in 2013 over millions of dollars of debt, much of it tax-related. He also had several run-ins with authorities over drugs possession and reckless driving.

In 2021, he had his first child, Prince, with his fiancée, Melanie Martin. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he checked into rehab earlier this year in a bid to gain custody of the child.

Earlier this year, he told the Daily Mail he wanted no longer wanted to be seen as a “train wreck”, saying: “I am not how some people try to paint me. If somebody wants to call me a train wreck, well I've been a train that's been wrecked multiple times and derailed by many different things,” he said

Following news of Carter's death, Melanie Martin issued a statement saying she was “still in the process of accepting this unfortunate reality”.

“Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated,” she added.