Published Tuesday, 28 August 2012
The Rocky star's 36-year-old son, Sage, was found dead in Los Angeles last month and the family was struck by tragedy again on Sunday when the actor's half-sister, Toni Ann Filiti, lost her battle with lung cancer.
The 48-year-old passed away at the home of her mother, Jackie, in Santa Monica, California on Sunday morning.
Jackie tells the New York Daily News: "I was holding her in my arms. I had just washed (her) face and told her how pretty she looked, and she just fell asleep... She's too young to go, but she wasn't feeling any pain. What a terrible month. First Sage and now Toni. It's hard. At least they're together now in heaven."
The 90-year-old reveals her superstar son was devastated by the news of Toni's death, but has vowed to remain close to her son.
She adds: "He said he can't take any more pain. He said he'll always be there for her son."