Sawyer Sweeten from 'Everybody Loves Raymond' commits suicide at 19

LOS ANGELES, April 23 (UPI) -- Former Everybody Loves Raymond actor Sawyer Sweeten has committed suicide at the age of 19, his sister Madylin announced Thursday.

His manager Dino May confirmed his death to Variety. Radar Online reported he shot himself while visiting family in Texas.

"This morning, a terrible family tragedy has occurred," Madylin Sweeten -- who also appeared on the sitcom, along with Sawyer's twin brother Sullivan -- said in a statement. "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."

Starring Patricia Heaton, Ray Romano, Brad Garrett, Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts, the family sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond ran from 1996 to 2005 and remains popular in syndicated reruns.