Sawyer Sweeten’s Family Express Grief Over His Suicide, But Twin Brother Remains Silent

The family of Sawyer Sweeten, who played one of Ray Romano’s twin sons on the famous sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, has finally spoken to the media about his suicide last week at the age of 19.

Speaking to People, Sawyer’s family is understandably shaken by his sudden loss. His motive and an official cause of death haven’t yet been confirmed, but it’s believed that he shot himself at a family member’s home, Perez Hilton added.

Madylin Sweeten, who starred with her siblings on the show, said he was more than just a brother.

“He was a strong and selfless friend. When confiding in one another, Sawyer always had the kindest words of encouragement. He will live on in my head and those shared moments forever.”

Sawyer was born in Texas, but the Sweeten’s moved to California when the twins landed the role on Raymond at 16 months old. They visited Texas despite keeping a home in Riverside.

His sister, Maysa, had perhaps the wisest words — far beyond her mere 16 years.

“Although my memories of my brother hurt now, they are some of the best I’ve ever had and deserve to live on in my mind and in the minds of my family forever. There isn’t a single day I won’t miss him.”

Through the Sweeten’s expressions of grief and love, a picture of Sawyer emerges — of a loving young man, someone many people looked up to, and often could be relied upon for solid advice. Like his cousin, Ezequiel, who would apparently listen to Sawyer before his own parents, his father Trey Sullivan added.

“(The twins) leveled and equaled each other out with their own personalities. Sawyer was the one with a heart of toughness and love mixed together. He carried himself with a sense of confidence that made me double-check myself when I was with him. I loved it.”

Possibly most heartbreaking are the comments from Sawyer’s maternal grandparents. They are particularly poignant when you consider that some mental health experts have speculated that he may have had a hard time coping with life after Raymond.

Sources have suggested that the Sweeten kids had a hard time finding work when the show ended. As the Inquisitr previously reported, his manager said Sawyer struggled more than the others, however, that is currently only speculation.

But for his grandparents, that their grandson spent half his life on TV didn’t matter.

“He and Sullivan weren’t ever actors or celebrities to us, just the sweetest boys that ever lived.”

[Photo Courtesy Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images]