Ray Romano Reacts To Sawyer Sweeten's Apparent Suicide; 'Everybody Loves Raymond' Cast Pays Respects

Fans of the long-running CBS sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond,” which ran for nine seasons from 1996 to 2005, received some tragic news Friday. Actor Sawyer Sweeten, who played Geoffrey, one of Ray Barone’s (Ray Romano) twin sons, died Thursday of an apparent suicide. Sweeten, 19, allegedly shot himself in the head on his family’s porch in Texas. Friday morning the cast of “Everybody Loves Raymond” reacted to news of the heartbreaking loss.

Ray Romano – Sweeten’s TV father and co-creator of the show – released a statement in response to the tragedy. “I'm shocked, and terribly saddened, by the news about Sawyer,” said Romano, according to Entertainment Tonight. “He was a wonderful and sweet kid to be around. Just a great energy whenever he was there. My heart breaks for him, his family and his friends during this very difficult time."

Patricia Heaton – who played Debra Barone, Sweeten’s TV mother – tweeted statements expressing her sympathy for Sweeten’s family and her affection for the young actor:

Doris Roberts, who played grandmother Marie Barone, released a statement on Facebook reflecting on the importance of family during hard times.

"It is with great sadness that I learned the news that Sawyer Sweeten, who played my grandson Geoffrey Barone on 'Everybody Loves Raymond,' died at his family's home in Texas," wrote Roberts. "He was a very sweet young man who will be dearly missed. Make sure your loved ones know how much you care about them, and please check in with them if you haven't touched base with them for a while. It's very important to keep in touch."

Sweeten’s sister Madylin – who also starred on the show as eldest daughter Ally Barone – was the first to confirm the terrible news to the public with a statement to the press late Thursday night.

"This morning a terrible family tragedy has occurred,” said Madylin Sweeten. “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."

Other celebrities who had worked with Sweeten paid their respects via statements on Twitter, including Disney's Christy Carlson Romano and former child star Lacey Chabert:

Sawyer Sweeten had not acted since “Everybody Loves Raymond” went off the air in 2005. The actor was last seen publicly with sister Madylin and brother Sullivan at the TV Land Awards in 2010.