In what must have been the most poignant performance of his life, Nick Carter took to the stage in New York last night to pay tribute to his tragic sister.
The former Backstreet Boys singer dedicated a moving ballad to the 25-year-old, who died earlier this week of a suspected drug overdose.
Nick, 32, was upbeat at the start of his gig, but then became wistful as he introduced Falling Down.
The show goes on: Nick Carter performed at Irving Plaza last night in New York and dedicated a song to his tragic sister Leslie who died on Monday of an apparent drug overdose
Nick then did a rendition of the Backstreet Boys song I Want It That Way, telling the crowd: 'Let's celebrate her life.'
The singer was performing at New York City's Irving plaza.
Members of the crowd held up pink paper hearts which they had made specially in honour of Leslie - which Nick acknowledged during his show.
Brave: The singer performed an old Backstreet Boys song and said: 'Let's celebrate her life'
A friend of Carter's told People.com he was surprised the singer had carried on with the show following Leslie's death on Monday.
He told the website:'He said he didn't want to talk to anyone before the show, but to make sure I come backstage after. He hasn't talked to me about it yet but he seems fine.'
According to a police report, Leslie Carter endured a long battle with mental illness and depression before overdosing.
She died in New York leaving behind a 10-month-old daughter Allysa Jane and husband, Mike Ashton.
There were three drugs found near Carter, according to an incident report obtained by ABC News - Olanzapine, used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; Cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant; and Alprazolam, used to treat anxiety or panic disorders, also known as Xanax.
Tragic loss: Leslie Carter, seen here in 2006, died on Monday at the age of 25
'Blind-sided': Nick Carter and Aaron Carter with Leslie in 2006
In happier times: A picture of Leslie from her Facebook page
Ginger said Leslie, who is understood to have left Canada and moved back in with family in a bid to conquer an addiction to prescription medication, appeared depressed the morning of her death.
The mother-of-one fell over the shower in the hours before her death and Ginger helped her lie down, at first with Leslie's 10-month-old daughter, and periodically checked on her.
Ginger later discovered she was not breathing and called 911 while Robert Carter, Leslie's father, tried to perform CPR.
The step-mother herself appeared to intoxicated, according to the incident report.
'Ginger had slurred speech, pinpoint pupils, glassy eyes and kept falling asleep,' the report states.
Ginger said she had taken 'five to six pills for her depression,' possibly Xanax, and took more than her usual dose of four 'because of Leslie passing away.'
Police are understood to be eager to interview Ginger again when she's 'more alert.'
New York's Chautauqua County coroner's office will determined Leslie's official cause of death after toxicology reports are revealed in about four to six weeks.
Her family, who are making preparations for her funeral next week, will decide whether to release the cause of death publicly.
Our family is grieving right now and it’s a private matter.’
Nick, 32, is scheduled to take to the road with the Backstreet Boys later this spring and dedicated the upcoming tour to his sister.
His publicist Jack Ketsoyan told MailOnline: 'Nick is thankful to the many people and the fans who have shared their wishes and prayers during this tragic time. We want to let the fans know the tour will go on as promised.'
Nick said: 'Performing is cathartic to me and I am dedicating the rest of my tour to my sister since she loved to watch me perform.'
Aaron, 24, appeared to take over Leslie's open Facebook account, posting a message that read: 'Hey this is aaron we are going to keep her facebook up..! i will add ppl so we keep leslie alive! we love les.'
In another section of her profile page, he wrote: 'RIP MY DEAREST SISTER....! I LOVE U AND YOU THE ONE THAT ALWAYS ROCKS. LOVE AARON UR LIL BRO U CALL LL AC.'
Aaron will take leave from his role in the off-Broadway production of The Fantasticks.
'His Fantasticks family loves him and offers him support and prayers during this difficult time,' John Capo, the spokesperson for the production, told said E! Online.
Tragic loss: Leslie, seen far right, has passed away at the age of 25. She is seen with her siblings from left to right, Aaron, Angel, Bobbie and Nick
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