Child actor Sawyer Sweeten has died aged just 19 at his home in Texas after 'he took his own life', his family said in a statement.

Sweeten played one half of the twins on hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond alongside his brother Sullivan, or as they were known on the show, Geoffrey and Michael.

Their real life older sister, Madylin, also acted alongside them as Ally Barone. The show ran from 1996 - when the twin boys were just 16 months old - to 2005.

The family said in a statement; "This morning a terrible family tragedy has occurred. 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."