Sawyer Sweeten’s family speak out

Sawyer Sweeten’s family have paid tribute to him, following his death last week.

The 19-year-old played one of the children in hit comedy Everybody Loves Raymond alongside his twin brother Sullivan. He took his own life at the family home in Texas on Thursday and following messages of condolence from his on-screen family, his real life relatives have spoken out about him.

“Sawyer was more than just a brother," his sister Madylin, who also starred in the show, told People magazine. "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."

The three siblings starred alongside the show’s figurehead Ray Romano, who played Ray Barone as well as Patricia Heaton, who starred as his wife Debra, and Doris Roberts as his overbearing mother Marie from 1996 until 2005. All three actors paid tribute to the young star, with Ray calling Sawyer a “wonderful and sweet kid to be around”.

Younger sister Maysa, 16, added to the outlet: “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. Until we meet again, big bro, I love you!"

His twin brother is yet to speak on his siblings passing but his uncle Trey Sullivan said that “the Bubs” as the twins were known, levelled each other out.

“[They] equalled each other out with their own personalities,” he revealed. “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."