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02-25-2010, 10:06 PM
Andrew Koenig's body found; 'My son took his own life,' father says
February 25, 2010 | 5:38 pm
A tearful Walter Koenig appeared at a press conference Thursday evening to confirm that a body found earlier in the day in Vancouver's Stanley Park was that of his son, missing "Growing Pains" actor Andrew Koenig.
"My son took his own life," Walter Koenig said, wife Judy at his side.
Both parents and about 10 of Andrew's friends had returned to Stanley Park -- which at 1,000 acres is larger than New York's Central Park -- on Thursday morning to conduct their own search. They split into teams, Walter said, and after about two hours a call came from the other team saying that Andrew's body had been found. Walter and Judy then went to the site.
The Koenigs pleaded with others who might have depressed family members to recognize the signs.
Walter Koenig appealed to those who might be in emotional pain: "If you can learn anything from this, it's that there are people out there who really care, and you may not think so, and ultimately it may not be enough, but ... before you make that final decision, check it out again, talk to somebody."
Said Judy: "Don't rationalize away anything -- connect with each other if there's something that's bothering you, because there's love out there."
The body was found off a trail in a densely wooded area, and "was unseen from the path," a police spokeswoman said. Police have no reason to believe foul play was involved, she said, and would not release a cause of death, as a coroner's investigation has been opened.
Koenig, who played best friend Richard "Boner" Stabone to Kirk Cameron's Mike Seaver on the sitcom in the late 1980s, was last seen on Valentine's Day in Vancouver, where he had been visiting friends. He was reported missing Feb. 18 after failing to catch a Feb. 16 flight home to the L.A. area. His cellphone was last used Feb. 16. Andrew's parents, Walter and Judy Koenig, said they received a letter from him last week in which their son wrote in a "despondent tone." He had stopped taking medication for depression about a year ago, said his father, one of the stars of the original "Star Trek" series. The Koenigs had arrived in Vancouver on Tuesday to assist in the search.
They appeared on the "Today" show Wednesday to ask for help in finding their son. A planned appearance via remote on "Larry King Live" was delayed by other news Wednesday, and the Koenigs left in frustration without going on the air.
Andrew Koenig's friends and other celebrities stepped up starting last week on Twitter, Facebook and blogs to let people know that Andrew was missing, former costar Cameron among them.
Unknown to his parents, in the weeks leading up to his Vancouver visit Koenig gave away his belongings, gave notice on his Venice apartment and paid his final rent.
"It started off as a garage sale," a neighbor told People, "and eventually, he put everything out in front of the apartment, like he was giving it away." According to a friend, Andrew said he wanted to start over in Vancouver.
"The information we've gathered from friends and family was that Andrew was despondent and going through a low period in his life like many people do, so we are very hopeful for his safe return and that he comes out of this dark period safely," Vancouver police spokesman Const. Tim Fanning said earlier this week.
Andrew Koenig's body found; 'My son took his own life,' father says | Ministry of Gossip | Los Angeles Times (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/02/missing-actor-andrew-koenig-found-dead-in-vancouver-park.html)
February 25, 2010 | 5:38 pm
A tearful Walter Koenig appeared at a press conference Thursday evening to confirm that a body found earlier in the day in Vancouver's Stanley Park was that of his son, missing "Growing Pains" actor Andrew Koenig.
"My son took his own life," Walter Koenig said, wife Judy at his side.
Both parents and about 10 of Andrew's friends had returned to Stanley Park -- which at 1,000 acres is larger than New York's Central Park -- on Thursday morning to conduct their own search. They split into teams, Walter said, and after about two hours a call came from the other team saying that Andrew's body had been found. Walter and Judy then went to the site.
The Koenigs pleaded with others who might have depressed family members to recognize the signs.
Walter Koenig appealed to those who might be in emotional pain: "If you can learn anything from this, it's that there are people out there who really care, and you may not think so, and ultimately it may not be enough, but ... before you make that final decision, check it out again, talk to somebody."
Said Judy: "Don't rationalize away anything -- connect with each other if there's something that's bothering you, because there's love out there."
The body was found off a trail in a densely wooded area, and "was unseen from the path," a police spokeswoman said. Police have no reason to believe foul play was involved, she said, and would not release a cause of death, as a coroner's investigation has been opened.
Koenig, who played best friend Richard "Boner" Stabone to Kirk Cameron's Mike Seaver on the sitcom in the late 1980s, was last seen on Valentine's Day in Vancouver, where he had been visiting friends. He was reported missing Feb. 18 after failing to catch a Feb. 16 flight home to the L.A. area. His cellphone was last used Feb. 16. Andrew's parents, Walter and Judy Koenig, said they received a letter from him last week in which their son wrote in a "despondent tone." He had stopped taking medication for depression about a year ago, said his father, one of the stars of the original "Star Trek" series. The Koenigs had arrived in Vancouver on Tuesday to assist in the search.
They appeared on the "Today" show Wednesday to ask for help in finding their son. A planned appearance via remote on "Larry King Live" was delayed by other news Wednesday, and the Koenigs left in frustration without going on the air.
Andrew Koenig's friends and other celebrities stepped up starting last week on Twitter, Facebook and blogs to let people know that Andrew was missing, former costar Cameron among them.
Unknown to his parents, in the weeks leading up to his Vancouver visit Koenig gave away his belongings, gave notice on his Venice apartment and paid his final rent.
"It started off as a garage sale," a neighbor told People, "and eventually, he put everything out in front of the apartment, like he was giving it away." According to a friend, Andrew said he wanted to start over in Vancouver.
"The information we've gathered from friends and family was that Andrew was despondent and going through a low period in his life like many people do, so we are very hopeful for his safe return and that he comes out of this dark period safely," Vancouver police spokesman Const. Tim Fanning said earlier this week.
Andrew Koenig's body found; 'My son took his own life,' father says | Ministry of Gossip | Los Angeles Times (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/02/missing-actor-andrew-koenig-found-dead-in-vancouver-park.html)