“When a parent loses a child, there is no greater pain.”

In a statement to TMZ, Sylvester Stallone, 66, addressed his grief and the public speculation over the death of his son.  

36-year-old Sage Moonblood Stallone was found dead in his Studio City home by his housekeeper on Friday.  According to the LA Times, foul play was not suspected.  

The media has been buzzing with commentary surrounding the circumstances of the actor’s death. Stallone addressed the gossip in his statement, adding, “I am imploring people to respect my talented son’s memory and feel compassion for his loving mother, Sasha.”

“This agonizing loss will be felt for the rest of our lives.  Sage was our first child and the center of our universe and I am humbly begging for all to have my son’s memory and soul left in peace,” he wrote.

An autopsy was completed on Sunday morning, but it will be months before the results come back.  The coroner’s office emphasized that while there were prescription drugs found in Sage’s home, there is no evidence that they played a role in his death.

Sage was a talented actor, director, screenwriter, and co-founder of Grindhouse Releasing.  Our hearts go out to the Stallone family in their time of grieving.