Sylvester Stallone's half-sister has died.

The Expendables 2 star's sibling Toni-Ann Filiti passed away yesterday (26 August) following a battle with lung cancer.

Filiti recently discharged herself from hospital and was being cared for by her and Stallone's mother Jackie because she wanted to die at home surrounded by loved ones.

A source told Radar Online: "She passed away last night and it was somewhat expected.

"After being in the Intensive Care Unit recently she decided she wanted to die in the house so she could spend time with her family."

This is the second recent family tragedy for Stallone, after his 36-year-old son Sage - from his first marriage to Sasha Czack - was found dead on 13 July at his Studio City apartment in Los Angeles.

Speaking about the loss of Sage recently, Stallone — who has three daughters, Sophia (15), Sistine (14) and 10-year-old Scarlet, with his wife Jennifer Flavin — said: "It's tough. It's very, very tough.

"It's a horrible situation but, time, hopefully will heal and you try to get through it. It's something that's a reality in life.

"It's important to get back and try to start re-living your life. Otherwise you can go into a spiral."