Less than a week ago, "Everybody Loves Raymond" star Sawyer Sweeten took his own life while visiting relatives in Texas.
It was reported that the 19-year-old went outside on the front porch and shot himself in the head, an event that devastated his entire family, but hit especially hard for his twin brother, Sullivan.
The Sweeten twins first appeared on the show at the very young age of 16 months old and were a part of the family sitcom for the duration of its time on air (from 1996-2005), along with their sister Madylin, now 23. The three siblings played Ray Romano's children, an effortless role for all of them due to their real-life closeness.
Family members have expressed concerns for Sullivan, the surviving twin, because the two were reportedly "inseparable." Family was advised to look out for his well-being as he learns to cope with the loss of his brother. He is also the only family member who has yet to comment on Sawyer's death, People reported.
Sweeten's stepfather Jerry Gini said that the family is still trying to "sort out what happened." An inside source revealed that Sweeten may have been struggling with money at the time of his death, and that he was also the "subject of gay rumors," according to Radar Online. The twins were reportedly making nearly $100,000 an episode, and after the show's completion, Sawyer couldn't seem to find the spotlight again.
Fans, friends, family and co-workers are still mourning the young star that everybody loved to be around.
"He (Sawyer) and Sullivan weren't ever actors or celebrities to us, just the sweetest boys that ever lived," the boys' grandparents said.
Co-stars Patricia Heaton and Ray Romano - Sawyer's "parents" - couldn't believe what they had heard.
Romano said he was "shocked and terribly saddened," adding: "He was a wonderful and sweet kid to be around. Just a great energy whenever he was there."
Meanwhile, Heaton tweeted: "Sawyer Sweeten was a funny and exceptionally bright young man. He is gone from us far too soon."
Here's what the actor's mother, Elizabeth, and Jerry Gini, told People in an exclusive interview:
Sawyer was such a completely amazing boy, which makes what has happened so much more confusing to us as a family.
We spoke to or saw Sawyer daily. There was not one time that he did not greet us, or really anyone, without a hug. He never said goodbye without an "I love you."
In raising such a beautiful being, it is impossible to not be made better for it. Who we are is greatly due to the moments shared with Sawyer.
The capabilities of his room-lighting smile and his contagious laughter will never be fully known. He was incredibly intelligent and had an amazing heart.
He aspired to be a veterinarian because caring for animals was his passion. He and [his twin brother] Sullivan had just purchased a home and were beginning to build their futures.
What happened to our son was not textbook depression. He was happy, upbeat and loving. But in the last week of his life, we saw something happen. It was so rapid in progression that we were caught off-guard.
Sawyer was not some tragic Hollywood kid who did drugs or became an alcoholic. He did neither. He was a normal young man who loved his Harley-Davidson, video games, his pets and especially his family.
We are grateful that his beautiful personality was shared with so many through his years on television. But to us, he was just our hilarious and sweet son.
There is no question how much we loved him.
