Patricia Heaton and the rest of the cast of Everybody Loves Raymond are still reeling from the sudden loss of Sawyer Sweeten, who took his own life on Thursday.
He reportedly shot himself while at his family’s Texas home.
A source close to the incident reported, “Sawyer was visiting family in Texas. He went on the front porch and killed himself with a gunshot to his head.”
The source added, “Sawyer’s entire family is absolutely devastated by this tragedy.”
Sawyer Sweeten was one of a set of twins on the show, Geoffrey Barone. His brother played Michael Barone. The Sweeten twins’ real-life older sister, Madylin, played their sister on the show, Ally.
Madylin was the first to tell the world of the terrible tragedy, saying, “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.”
Patricia Heaton played Debra Barone, mother to the three kids and real-life friend.
Patricia Heaton shared her sadness 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
Patricia Heaton wasn’t the only one to take to Twitter and mourn the loss of yet another child star.
i'm in so many tears right now hearing about the death of #SawyerSweeten who played Geoffrey Barone on My Favorite Everybody Loves Raymond
— Fifty Shades of 1989 (@ShadesOfTayGrey) April 24, 2015
RIP to Child Actor #SawyerSweeten from #EverybodyLovesRaymond tragically committed suicide on the 23rd April at age 19. Blessings to family.
— Gary Wales (@OfficialGWales) April 24, 2015
Details as to what led to his suicide will likely be emerging in the coming days. Were you a fan of the show?