Bobbie Jean Carter was found unresponsive in the bathroom of her Florida home on Dec. 23, the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Department confirmed to PEOPLE.
Carter was then immediately transported to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. She was 41 years old.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has opened a death investigation, and they also say deputies learned Carter was on probation for possession of cocaine at the time of her death.
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Carter’s roommates, however, told deputies she hasn’t used any narcotics since she was released from jail — where PEOPLE confirmed she was held from late September to early November — and the sheriff’s office adds that no narcotics or paraphernalia were found in Carter’s bedroom or bathroom. .
There was also no sign of foul play, say authorities, who stayed with Carter’s daughter, Bella, 8, until her next of kin arrived from Orlando.
Bobbie Jean Carter, sister of Aaron and Nick Carter, dies at 41
Although a family source initially said Bella was in the care of her grandmother, another Carter family source told PEOPLE exclusively that she is currently staying with her aunt — her late father’s sister.
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Carter’s mother, Jane, paid tribute to her daughter in a statement to TMZ on Saturday.
“I am in shock to learn of the sudden death of my daughter, Bobbie Jean, and it will take time for me to come to grips with the terrible reality of this happening for the third time,” she said, referring to the death of her son Aaron, who died at age 34 in in November 2022 and daughter Leslie, who died at the age of 25 in 2012.
Nick Carter’s sister Bobbie Jean to be buried in Florida after sudden death: Source (Exclusive)
Aaron was initially found in the bathtub of his home in California, and in April 2023, the Los Angeles County Coroner ruled his death accidental. The report said Aaron was “incapacitated while in the bathtub,” which ultimately led to the drowning as the drugs difluoroethane and alprazolam (the generic brand name Xanax) took effect.
Sources close to the Carters told PEOPLE that the family believes Bobbie Jean died after going into cardiac arrest. Her official cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner’s office.
Back in June, Carter was arrested in Florida after she allegedly stole stickers and markers from Hobby Lobby and was allegedly found in possession of drugs. She was charged with one count of retail theft and possession of fentanyl.
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