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Andrew Koenig Found Dead: 'My Son Took His Own Life,' Says Father

By PopEater Staff Posted Feb 25th 2010 06:36PM

Unable to hold back sobs during a dramatic press conference, Walter Koenig confirmed that his son Andrew had taken his own life and had been found in Vancouver's Stanley Park on Thursday morning.

The younger Koenig was discovered during a search party consisting of friends and family.

"My son took his own life," an emotional Walter Koenig told a rapt press corp.

"The only other thing I want to say is, we've already said what a great guy he was, what a great human being," Koenig said before breaking down into tears. "He was obviously in a lot of pain."

Andrew Koenig, best known for playing "Boner" on 'Growing Pains,' had been missing since February 14. Despite many police searches in the area, he was not seen in the densely wooded marsh where he was eventually found.

Police declined to give many details of the discovery out of "respect for the family." A police spokesperson did add that foul play was not suspected.

Koenig, 41, missed his flight out of the Olympic host city last week, according to a statement from TV host Dave Holmes on MaximumFun.org.

Neighbors at the 41-year-old's Venice, Calif., apartment complex told PEOPLE he moved out several weeks ago before heading to Vancouver, B.C., to visit friends. "He cleared out his apartment," about three weeks ago, neighbor Mark Clough told PEOPLE. "It started off as a garage sale, and eventually, he put everything out in front of the apartment, like he was giving it away."

Koenig's friend Lance Miccio told RadarOnline.com that the apparent suicide mirrors the death of a character in a film Koenig helped edit. "We did that 'Living the Blues' film. And it's been like my own personal nightmare," said Miccio, who directed the film. "Knowing that we made this film and I'm watching the scenario of it play out in front of me."

"Allen Wilson, who the film was about, shared a lot of Andrew's character traits, tendencies, maybe genetic makeup," Miccio added. "So when this happened, you know the first thing I thought of was this film we did together and the situation being the same scenario ... It's devastating. I'm in shock still."

Andrew's father Walter played Chekov in the 'Star Trek' TV series and films. The elder Koenig told PEOPLE he received a note from Andrew on February 16, but it did nothing to alleviate his concerns.

"He sounded despondent," said Walter. "Nobody has seen this [note] but my wife and I."

"He went to visit some friends in Toronto and after there, he went to Vancouver," explained his father. "It's a place where he felt very comfortable. He lived there for a few years."

Later on Feb 24, Walter Koenig said during a press conference that, if anything, he just wants to know if his son is alive. "I just want to know you're okay ... If it means you just want to stay here, that's okay. You don't have to come back. Just let us know that's your intention."

While in Vancouver, Andrew was staying with burlesque artist Jenny Magenta, who took to Facebook last week to ask for help in finding Koenig. Numerous celebrity friends used social media to aid the search, including Sarah Silverman, Alyssa Milano and Felica Day. Comedian Joel McHale wrote, "No joke, here. 'Soup' family friend Andrew Koenig missing in Vancouver."

His 'Growing Pains' co-star Kirk Cameron offered help earlier this week. "I am praying for his family during this time of distress and for his safe return," Cameron said in a statement, reports PEOPLE. "Andrew, if you're reading this, please call me."

Tags: andrew koenig

Comments

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Thursday 25 February

By Cindy

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jdosg........you really are a jackass, how pathetic that you think you are being funny, what an embarassment you must be to your family

Thursday 25 February

By cynharrelson

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DUDE: YOU HAVE SERIOUS ISSUES! I'M SURE REPLYING TO YOU IS JUST THE TONIC YOU NEED TO GET OFF... BUT I'M "ONLY" DOING THIS "FOR ME"! YOU DISGUST "EVERYBODY"!
I PRAY GOD SMYTES YOU BUT GOOD AND SOON, VERY, VERY SOON, AND I PRAY IT HURTS FOR A LONG DRAWN OUT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN "YOUR WORTHLESS PIECE OF SH*T SELF DIES IN THE GUTTER WITH THE RATS AND FILTH AND DISEASE!" HAVE SOME KIND OF HUMANITY ABOUT YOURSELF...THAT IS TO SAY...IF YOU EVER FU*K*NG CAN!!! AS*FU*K*NGHOLE
GOD BLESS YOU ANDREW!

Friday 26 February

By clong74186

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YOU ARE A SORRY EXCUSE OF A PERSON. YOUR PARENTS MUST NOT HAVE BEAT YOU ENOUGH. LEARN SOME RESPECT LOW LIFE.

Friday 26 February

By Linda

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Is there any way you could behave? What kind of jerk are you leaving messages like this? Don't you have ANY respect for Andrew or his family and friends? If you have nothing decent to say then don't say anything at all.

Friday 26 February

By g

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How insensitive and stupid you are. I love a good joke, but grow up and realize this is not the time nor the place for this. This was truly a tragedy and depression is real and life altering. Poor guy! Rest in peace in God's care. My condolences to his family and friends.

Friday 26 February

By frank

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thats hilarious. muhahahahahahahahaah

Thursday 25 February

By linda

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STEVE;
just how old are you ??????????? here's praying for his family & still holding hope he is safe.

Thursday 25 February

By julianne

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Your son was a wonderful man. I am sure he will continue to make a diffenence as a higher being..and the stuggle is qver for him here.. God bless Him and You

Thursday 25 February

By Colleen

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Andrew, if you are indeed dead, I hope you're at peace. And my thoughts go to your distraught friends and family at this horrific time. Rest In Peace.

Thursday 25 February

By tonia

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i am saddened to hear the bad news. i have been hearing about him being missing for the last few days. im sorry to hear that he is acually passed away.

Thursday 25 February

By Doreen

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Unbelievable. As a mother of a child the same age, never, never could I accept such a horrible thing. At least not mentally. God Bless this young mans family esp his parents. No way will I know how to handle such a terrible situation and God Forbid will I have to.

Thursday 25 February

By Lynn

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GOD BLESS YOU WITH THE STRENGHT TO KNOW THAT HE MAKES NO MISTAKES. HE CALLED ANDREW. GOD BLESS YOU.

Thursday 25 February

By c.

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E.Z SELL GOLD IS A BIG RIPP OFF.SHAM ON STEVE WILKOS.

Thursday 25 February

By Terry

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My brother suffered depression. It can be devastating for the family. My sympathy to the family.... it seems it might be the same as my brother.

Thursday 25 February

By MARC

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BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WITH YOUR KEEN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW FRAGILE LIFE CAN BE.

Thursday 25 February

By Christine

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Wow, He's so beautiful in that picture..Depression is such a terrible thing that can mess with reasoning.I hope he finds peace. Prayers to his family and his friends..RIP...

Thursday 25 February

By falcon38a

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God bless Andrew's family. Depression is such an awful disease. We need to give it more attention.

Thursday 25 February

By stephen

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This fu****g sucks!!!....My apologies and prayers to The Koenig Family !!!!
-Stephen

Thursday 25 February

By sarahmarienc2

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My thoughts and prayers are with all involved and all who may be affected by this. Like an earlier poster said, regardless of whether it is him, a body has been found, and that in itself is tragedy enough. God bless.

Thursday 25 February

By C. Williams

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It's painful to hear of anyone suffering the death of a loved one but if the loss is Andrew Koenig, it's especially painful because he's the son of Walter-who we trekkers know as 'Chekov'- and Mrs. Koenig. If this is so, my deepest sympathy.

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