We’re so devastated over the news that ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ star Sawyer Sweeten took his life. Now, the star of the hit sitcom, Ray Romano, is breaking his silence about the tragedy.
Romano, 57, who played Raymond on the show, said in a statement to E! News: “I’m shocked, and terribly saddened, by the news about Sawyer. He was a wonderful and sweet kid to be around. Just a great energy whenever he was there.
“My heart breaks for him, his family, and his friends during this very difficult time.”
US media reported that Sweeten shot himself on the front porch of the family home in Texas.
The family said in a statement: “This morning a terrible family tragedy has occurred.
“We are devastated to report that our beloved brother, son, and friend, Sawyer Sweeten, took his own life. He was weeks away from his 20th birthday.
“At this sensitive time, our family requests privacy and we beg of you to reach out to the ones you love.”
Sawyer Sweeten began starring in the show, along with his twin brother Sullivan as Michael Barone, in 1996, when they were just 16 months old.
Their elder sister Madylin played their on-screen sister Ally Barone in the sitcom, which ran until 2005.
She wrote on Facebook: “At this time I would like to encourage everyone to reach out to the ones you love. Let them have no doubt of what they mean to you.”
Agencies/Canadajournal