The Backstreet Boys member said his love for his sibling, who was also a singer and former child star, “never ever faded”, despite them having “a complicated relationship”.
In a posting on Instagram with photographs of the two through the years, Nick said in a post on Sunday: “My heart has been broken today.
“Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded. 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.”
In 2019, Nick filed a restraining order against Aaron, alleging he threatened to kill his pregnant wife and unborn child.
Aaron acknowledged the restraining order on Twitter at the time, but he denied the allegations of threatening behaviour.
The singer also had a history of drug convictions and reportedly went to rehab on a number of occasions.
Aaron also disclosed in 2019 that he had been diagnosed with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
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Aaron pictured in February
Gabe Ginsberg via Getty Images
“Sometimes we want to blame someone or something for a loss. But the truth is that addiction and mental illness is the real villain here,” Nick wrote in his post.
“I will miss my brother more than anyone will ever know. I love you Chizz, now you get a chance to finally have some peace you could never find here on earth. God, Please take care of my baby brother.”
On Saturday night, a representative for Aaron confirmed the news to the PA news agency, stating that a cause of death was yet to be determined.
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Aaron found fame as a child, seen here in 1998
picture alliance via Getty Images
Aaron made his start in the music industry as a child, supporting the Backstreet Boys – of which his elder brother Nick Carter is a member – on tour, and releasing his self-titled debut album at the age of nine.
The album sold a million copies worldwide and peaked at number 12 in the UK, with lead single Crush On You reaching the top 10 in various territories, including here in Britain.
Angel Carter, his twin sister, also shared a tribute on social media.
“My funny, sweet Aaron, I have so many memories of you and I, and I promise to cherish them,” she wrote on Instagram.
“I know you’re at peace now. I will carry you with me until the day I die and get to see you again.”
One of Aaron’s former girlfriends Hilary Duff, who starred in Lizzie McGuire, recalled him as having an “effervescent” charm, and said her “teenage self” loved him deeply.
“I’m deeply sorry that life was so hard for you and that you had to struggle in-front of the whole world,” she wrote on Instagram.
RIP: Celebrities We Lost In 2022
APRIL(01 of20)
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Gilbert Gottfried (1955)
The comedian and actor known for his crude humor died "after a long illness" at age 67, his family said. (credit:Kevin Winter via Getty Images)
MARCH(02 of20)
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Taylor Hawkins (1972)
The legendary drummer of the Foo Fighters died at age 50 while on tour with his band in South America. (credit:Taylor Hill via Getty Images)
MARCH(03 of20)
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William Hurt (1950)
Hurt, who died at age 71 after a battle with prostate cancer, won a Best Actor Oscar in for his role in 1985's "Kiss of the Spider Woman." (credit:Earl Gibson III via Getty Images)
FEBRUARY(04 of20)
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Ivan Reitman (1946)
The filmmaker behind "Animal House," "Ghostbusters" and more died at age 75. (credit:Paul Harris via Getty Images)
FEBRUARY(05 of20)
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Jamal Edwards (1990)
As founder of SB.TV, Jamal is credited with helping launch the careers of Stormzy, Ed Sheeran and Dave among countless other artists. He died following a short illness at the age of 31. (credit:Joseph Okpako via Getty Images)
FEBRUARY(06 of20)
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Bamber Gascoigne (1935 – 2022)
The original University Challenge host was 87 when he died in February. Fellow quizmasters Stephen Fry and Victoria Coren Mitchell were among those to pay tribute. (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
JANUARY(07 of20)
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Moses J Moseley (1990 – 2022)
The U.S. actor's credits included "Watchmen" and, most notably, "The Walking Dead," which he appeared in multiple times between 2012 and 2015. (credit:Paul Archuleta via Getty Images)
JANUARY(08 of20)
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Leonard Fenton (1926 – 2022)
The late actor was best known to soap fans for playing Dr Harold Legg in EastEnders, making his final appearance in the soap in 2019. (credit:William Conran via PA Wire/PA Images)
JANUARY(09 of20)
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Cheslie Kryst (1991 – 2022)
Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst was also a correspondent for the entertainment news show Extra, an attorney and activist. (credit:Dia Dipasupil via Getty Images)
JANUARY(10 of20)
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Barry Cryer (1935 – 2022)
As well as being known as a comedy legend in his own right, Barry Cryer wrote for the likes of The Two Ronnies, Morecambe and Wise and Bruce Forsyth over the course of his career. (credit:Jeff Spicer via Getty Images)
JANUARY(11 of20)
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Thierry Mugler (1948 – 2022)
A true icon of the fashion world, Mugler launched his fashion house in the 1970s and was a favourite of everyone from David Bowie, Lady Gaga and Cardi B to Grace Jones, Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé. (credit:via Associated Press)
JANUARY(12 of20)
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Louie Andeson (1953 – 2022)
The Emmy-winning stand-up comic and actor appeared in Coming To America, Baskets and Life With Louie. (credit:Joe Scarnici via Getty Images)
JANUARY(13 of20)
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Meat Loaf (1947 – 2022)
The US rocker and music legend was known for hits including I'd Do Anything For Love, Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad and Bat Out Of Hell, as well as playing Eddie in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. (credit:Bruce Glikas via Getty Images)
JANUARY(14 of20)
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André Leon Talley (1948 – 2022)
The fashion icon worked as a journalist for numerous publications, most notably serving as Vogue's editor-at-large. (credit:Cindy Ord via Getty Images)
JANUARY(15 of20)
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Nicholas Donnelly (1938 – 2022)
Nicholas' most famous role was as teacher Craig McKenzie in the children's series Grange Hill. He also appeared in the police drama Dixon Of Dock Green as Sergeant Johnny Wills. (credit:PA)
JANUARY(16 of20)
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Sean Rice (1972 – 2022)
The Canadian ice skater was introduced to a whole new audience when he became a professional skater on Dancing On Ice in 2011. During his two-year stint on the show he performed with TV legend Angela Rippon and Olympian Chemmy Alcott. (credit:Steve Meddle/Shutterstock)
JANUARY(17 of20)
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Ronnie Spector (1943 – 2022)
An icon of pop music and 1960s culture in general, Ronnie Spector made her name as the lead singer of The Ronettes, whose hits included Be My Baby, Baby I Love You and Walking In The Rain. (credit:Jordi Vidal via Getty Images)
JANUARY(18 of20)
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Gary Waldhorn (1943 – 2022)
Most well-known for playing councillor David Horton in the comedy The Vicar Of Dibley, Gary's other on-screen credits included Brush Strokes and Escape To Victory. (credit:Yui Mok via PA Wire/PA Images)
JANUARY(19 of20)
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Bob Saget (1956 – 2022)
The US comedy actor stand-up comic is best remembered for his role as Danny Tanner in the family sitcom Full House. He also lent his voice to How I Met Your Mother and presented America's Funniest Home Videos. (credit:David Livingston via Getty Images)
JANUARY(20 of20)
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Sidney Poitier (1927 – 2022)
The groundbreaking star of films like Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, To Sir With Love and The Defiant Ones died in January 2022. He made history in 1963 when he became the first Black performer to be awarded Best Actor at the Oscars, an accolade he received for his role in Lillies Of The Field. (credit:Pascal Le Segretain via Getty Images)