Stallone urges end to 'speculation' about son's death

US: US screen actor Sylvester Stallone said Monday there was "no greater pain" than losing a child, and called for an end to speculation about the death of his eldest son Sage last week.

The Rambo and Rocky star urged the media and others to respect the memory of his 36-year-old son, as it emerged that the young actor was actively planning his own wedding in Las Vegas when he died.

"When a parent loses a child there is no greater pain. Therefore I am imploring people to respect my talented son's memory and feel compassion for his loving mother Sasha," he said in a statement.

"This agonizing loss will be felt for the rest of our lives," he said, adding: "Sage was our first child and the center of our universe and I am humbly begging for all to have my son's memory in full left in peace."

Stallone said he issued the new statement "in reference to the speculation and questionable reporting surrounding the death of my son Sage."

Sage Moonblood Stallone was found dead at his Hollywood home on Friday. An autopsy was carried out on Sunday, but the LA County Coroner's Office said toxicology reports would take some 10 weeks. AFP