Everybody Loves Raymond star Sawyer Sweeten died of suicide on Thursday. Known for his role as Geoffrey Barone, his TV parents–Patricia Heaton and Ray Romano–join his real family in mourning this tragic loss.
“I’m shocked and terribly saddened by the news about Sawyer,” Ray Romano said in a statement to People magazine. “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.”
“Sawyer was a funny and exceptionally bright young man. He is gone from us far too soon,” Patricia Heaton said. “The loss the Sweeten family is experiencing is unimaginable. Tonight hug your children a little tighter and please keep Sawyer and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Everybody Loves Raymond starred three members of the Sweeten family. In addition to Sawyer Sweeten as Geoffrey Barone, real-life twin brother Sullivan Sweeten played his twin brother Michael, and big sister Madylin Sweeten played sister Ally Barone. The twins were just 16 months old when they first appeared on Everybody Loves Raymond.
Madylin Sweeten issued a statement to People magazine regarding her brother’s tragic passing.
“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,” she said.
Doris Roberts played Marie Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond. She shared her heartache over the loss of her on-screen grandson via Facebook.
It is with great sadness that I learned the news that Sawyer Sweeten, who played my grandson Geoffrey Barone on '…
Posted by Doris Roberts on Thursday, April 23, 2015
Patricia Heaton also shared her grief via Twitter.
Sawyer Sweeten was a funny and exceptionally bright young man. He is gone from us far too soon.
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) April 24, 2015
The entire cast of #EverybodyLovesRaymond is in shock. Prayers for the Sweeten family.
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) April 24, 2015
The entire cast of Everybody Loves Raymond is mourning the untimely death of 19-year-old Sawyer Sweeten. Certainly no one is mourning more than his own family, however.
Word hasn’t yet hit the media regarding services for Sawyer Sweeten.