Nick and Aaron Carter's sister has died.

Leslie Carter passed away aged 25 in New York yesterday (31.01.12) and the "deeply saddened" family of the two pop stars have appealed for privacy while they mourn the aspiring singer .

The Carter Family said in a statement to 'Access Hollywood': "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."

No further details about Leslie's death have been made public.

Leslie - whose single 'Like Wow!' featured on the soundtrack to 2001 animated movie 'Shrek' - married husband Mike in 2008 and announced she was pregnant in June 2010.

She gave birth to their daughter, Alyssa Jane Ashton, on April 1 last year.

Leslie signed a record deal with Dreamworks in 1999 but a planned album was never released.