Breaking News: Andrew Koenig's Body Found in Vancouver Park
Actor Andrew Koenig -- best known for his role as Kirk Cameron's pal Boner on the '80s sitcom Growing Pains -- was found dead Thursday in Vancouver, B.C.
At a press conference attended by Koenig's family Thursday evening, police said the actor's body was discovered "in a densely wood area ... unseen from the path" by "family and friends who initiated their own private search." (His father, Star Trek actor Walter Koenig, was among the people who joined in on the search.)
Foul play is not suspected.
"My son took his own life," his father Walter told reporters, adding that his son had been battling depression.
"Don't ignore it; don't rationalize it," he said in regards to depression. "Extend a hand."
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The 41-year-old actor had been missing since Feb. 16.
After visiting pals in Vancouver, he never boarded his flight back to Los Angeles. (Prior to his trip, he reportedly had moved out of his Venice, Calif., apartment of nine years and sold a number of his belongings.)
His parents phoned police after receiving a disturbing letter from their son.
In an interview with UsMagazine.com earlier this week, his father Walter refused to discuss details on the note. But he revealed that his son was not taking medication for depression.
Asked how his son was coping with depression, Walter told Us, "That is what we are trying to find out ... In his point of view, things were not going well."
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Burlesque artist Jenny Magenta -- the last person to see Koenig alive -- told Us he "looked healthy" when he arrived in Vancouver Feb. 11 to visit her. "We were talking about old times and friends." But she told Us he soon began acting "out of character," insisting on paying her for allowing him to stay at her apartment.
"Think about it -- a friend who you've known for years comes to visit you and they're wanting to pay you rent?" she told Us. "That's just weird."
When she woke up Feb. 14, Magenta tells Us Koenig was missing.
"No parent should have to deal with anytime like this," Koenig's father Walter told Us in an interview earlier this week.
He described his son as "a good human being who has "an awful lot left to contribute in this world."
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75I am so sorry for the family. I used to watch the show and loved it as many of us did. Depression affects more people in the world then, I think, any other illness. It is, what I think is a silent killer. It is sad to think that if he had just been on medication and in therapy he could have recovered, but when you are in a deep depression, you brain isn't thinking rationally. It is a chemical imbalance and I believe that everyone in the world has some sort of chemical imbalance. The extent is different for everyone. It is also genetic as most of my family suffers from depression. I know first hand how it feels to want to die, and had almost succeeded years ago, but I got help and got through it. I take medication every day. I am so very sorry for this terrible loss, but have comfort in knowing that he is blessed and with God, and no longer in pain. I hope the family can come together and not blame anyone, because there is no blame, he just wanted peace. Please take care of each other. My love and blessings go out to all of you.....Sincerely, Carmela,Haifa,Israel/Queen Creek, Arizona.
What a terrible loss. How can one not know their value to the family and friends around you. I pray god holds you close, rest your soul in his love. I pray for your soul, may god forgive and lift your spirit up to his loving arms. So sorry, there was no one for you to go to.
We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family for the lord to give you comfort and peace during this time and always. God Bless you Rev. Jim and Patricia Young
I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS IT'S SO SAD MAY THE LORD BE WITH YALL AND HELP YALL THROUGH THIS TIME I'LL BE PRAYING THAT THE LORD WILL HELP YALL AND BE THERE TO SEE YALL THROUGH AND I DID LIKE HIS SHOWS VERY GREAT ACTER TAKE CARE
My heart goes out to the family of Koenig. I know first hand how it feels to be depressed to the point where the only thought comes to mind is dying.
I lost the love of my life to suicide a years ago. We were together 10 years and while I knew he was bi-polar, in the end he had gone of his depression drugs, broke up with me and starting spending time with a woman who didn't know how to take care of a man with his illness and took him way of his head. He isolated for 4 days and took his own life a week before Christmas. We hadn't talked for 4 months and I was told that it is common for someone intending to take their own life to distance himself from the person/s who know him best, as they will see the signs. That is exactly what he did, but he started giving away treasured objects, leaving them for me and close friends,etc. The dummy he was with in the end said he was in great spirits, also the sign of someone who is about to take their own life. If you know someone who fits this profile, watch them lie a hawk, keep in touch every day, get them help ...know the signs.
Patrice, Please get a grip, and some help if you need it.
"The Olympics are in Vancouver. How come no one saw him?" You're not serious. While this is very sad, you're not seriously suggesting that anyone else, much less people attending the Olympics, are responsible for having seen him and stopped him?
@kate - Judaism, Christianity and Islam were not created by "creepy white men". Caucasians need to start standing up to the tide of reverse prejudice and descrimination.Nobody ever had to come and fight for us.We stood up for ourselves,and need to keep doing so.
My thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
I can relate to everyone here. I lost a brother to suicide sometime ago. It's true that one of the warning signs is giving away things and saying goodbye in a permanent tone, wanting to be alone and irrational behavior. All true. I am so sorry for this family's loss. My condolences.
But I must collect myself and move on. My gorgeous warrior is gone. Nothing is bringing him back.
My heart goes out to his friends and family and those people who tried to help him while he was in his state but to no avail. ):
I know that most people cannot be helped. But there was no excuse. Someone should of been there at all times for this gorgeous warrior. There will never be enough water in my body and soul for the tears I have for the exit of this man into the abyss and out of our home world.
Look at those eyes and that nose. He could turn on a lady without talking. One of may favorite cave man warriors took his life before we could ever meet. I'd like to know who knew this gorgeous man was depressed and left him alone to himself to sulk and then kill himself!!!!!!!!!!! I REALLY LIKE TO KNOW!!!
I'd like to know who knew this gorgeous man was depressed and left him alone to himself to sulk and then commit suicide!!!!!!!!!!! I REALLY LIKE TO KNOW!!!!!!!!
Kate, keep reading, keep exploring, do it on your time, do not get intellectually superior, keep looking, maybe you will confirm your opinion even more so or perhaps you may not. t
My prayers and heart go out to the Koenig family and friends.You will see him again one day,untill then he'll be in your hearts and memories.May he rest in peace!
I too lost my son to suicide.(26) Depression is an awful thing.There is nothing worse than losing a child.My sympathy and prayers go out to Andrew's family. May they find some comfort in knowing he is no longer suffering and is in a happier place.
God rest your soul Andrew, and may the Koenig family know that they are in my thoughts and prayers. David, your life is a living hell and and it's the people like you who have no value on earth who live to make others miserable because you are, the same type of people who sent him to his death. If you ever have a child, if you don't have any, and if anyone sleeps with you and creates one they have got to be crazy, and God forbid you lose your child, then maybe you will understand, but I hope your child sticks around and suffers from depression or better yet become a schizophrenic and torment you every day of your miserable life.