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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

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Thursday 25 February

By Getter Done!!!

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I so hope this is just a time he needed to get away,tho it is not looking good. My prayers and thoughts are with this family in a time of uncertainty.
Also Steve, the age of 42 is not old. This should be a very good time in life.
My family has also been there. Only my brother was in his early 30s So sorry!!!

Thursday 25 February

By Daphys@aol.com

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Rest in Peace Andrew. Your pain is gone.

Thursday 25 February

By Deezel

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That's such a sad story. I remember him from Growing Pains, I always thought he was hysterical. Now to know that he's had such a tragic end to his life...it's disheartening. I only hope that the body found is not his, although it's a long shot. My love to him and his family.

Thursday 25 February

By cshirley12

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So sad, my sympathies to all who knew and loved him. It's so tragic when this disease takes a life. I too have suffered from depression my entire life and will be on meds my entire life. It's truly indescribable unless you've had it yourself. For some people, true happiness never happens. Now that I have, and having been very close to ending it myself, it's been a life changing experience-exactly like a light bulb turning on. I'm sorry that didn't happen for him.

I do have a great respect for him; he took care of his estate, he said goodbye to those he loved, and was in the place he wanted to be. I think it gave him a great peace to do this.

Rest in peace, Andrew.

Thursday 25 February

By e.j.

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Thats one dead boner

Thursday 25 February

By kevin

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e.j. ............ you're an idiot

Thursday 25 February

By wayne

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if that was your son would that be funny .

Thursday 25 February

By DEE

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IM SO SORRY FOR ANDREW HE WAS SO FUNNY ON GROWING PAIN HE TURN OUT AS A VERY HANDSOME MAN

Thursday 25 February

By The Voice of Truth

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Very sad....sorry for the family's loss...Andrew, rest in peace!!

Thursday 25 February

By Valerie Wolf

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My prayers are with his family! I pray the police are wrong! If you are religious...pray to St. Anthony...He is the Saint of Miracles! Nobody deserves the pain of a missing or dead child!

Thursday 25 February

By heidi

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42, or 41? Get the facts straight. But.... I am sorry for this family's apparent loss.

Thursday 25 February

By Jo

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REGARDLESS OF WHO THEY FOUND IT IS A SAD ENDING FOR THE FAMILY. MANY THINGS SAID ON HERE ARE NOT NICE. UNTIL YOU WALK IN SOMEONE SHOES YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS LIKE. I PRAY HE IS SAFE. AND ONE QUESTION WHERE WERE HIS LOVED ONES WHEN HE NEEDED THEM OR HIS FRIENDS. JUST WONDERED. DEPRESSION IS VERY REAL. WHAT WE NEED ARE GOOD DOCTORS OUT THERE THAT REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. NOT A 5 MIN. VISIT AND THROW PILLS AT SOMEONE. THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO GO. AGAIN VERY SORRY

Thursday 25 February

By DANNY

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ITS OBVIOUS...SUICIDE!!! HE GAVE HIS STUFF AWAY...VISITED FRIENDS TO SAY HIS GOODBYES...STAYED WTH A BURLESQUEARTIST ( PROBABLY BROKE HIS HEART ON VALENTINE'S DAY )...IT WAS VALENTINE'S DAY WHEN HE WENT MISSING? BROKEN HEARTS LEAD TO SUICIDE. RIP

Thursday 25 February

By dawnold

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He probably pulled a boner!!!!

Thursday 25 February

By Kevin

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dawnold why do you have to be such an ass ? I hope people make jokes when you die.

Thursday 25 February

By Bill

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May Andrew be in a place that is so much better than the place he left that caused him so much pain.

May his parents find peace and hope at this difficult time.

Thursday 25 February

By Mary

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So sad. My condolences to his family.

Thursday 25 February

By JudeThom

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Lots of Satanic activity in Vancouver--there are many
coverns. But Kirk Cameron is a jerk.

Friday 26 February

By Susan

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Jude - Why is Kirk Cameron a jerk?

Thursday 25 February

By MOron

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BONER............

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