Losing a child is the worst thing in the world, regardless of the child’s age—whether they are an adult or not yet born.

Since it’s well known that the renowned Hollywood actor lost his first child, Sage Stallone, in 2012, Sylvester Stallone can witness to this firsthand.

Perhaps less widely known is the fact that, only weeks before he passed away, Sage’s mother, Sasha Czack, Stallone’s ex-wife, had urged that Sage forego having a significant dental operation.

There were many ideas before the official cause of Sage’s abrupt and unexpected death was revealed; others thought it might have been suicide, drugs, or alcohol. But in the end, the reality would be more devastating than anyone could have predicted.