Sawyer Sweeten, an actor best known for his role on Everybody Loves Raymond, has died at 19 years old in a suspected suicide.A source told RADAR that Sweeten died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound: "Sawyer was visiting family in Texas. He went on the front porch and killed himself with a gunshot to his head." Sweeten's rep confirmed the sad news.
Sweeten and his twin brother Sullivan played Geoffrey and Michael Barone on the series from 1996 until 2005. They were 16 months old when they joined the cast, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Their real-life sister Madylin played their sister Ally Barone on the show.
The twins together played a character in a 2000 episode of Disney Channels Even Stevens and they also had a small role in the 2002 movie Frank McKlusky, C.I..
Madylin Sweeten wrote a note on her Facebook page: "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."
Update 4/24, 12:10 p.m.: Sources close to Sweeten tell TMZ that his death is surprising and a shock to his family because he was a positive person and never showed signs of depression.
If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide: do not leave the person alone, remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt, and call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.
