14 DAY TRIAL // The body of the star of the popular ‘80s sitcom “Growing Pains,” Andrew Koenig, was found a few hours ago in Vancouver, where it is believed he was trying to relocate after clearing out his apartment in Los Angeles. The actor had been missing since February 16 and suffered from severe depression at the time he disappeared. Cause of death is suicide, his parents confirmed, People magazine informs.
Though mounted officers had searched the park where the body was found before, they could not see it because of the trees, the mag says. Andrew’s father, Walter Koenig, who is also an actor, was part of the search teams working the area, but was not there when they found the body. After identifying it, Mr. Koenig confirmed the sad news in a very emotional press conference, which he also used to underline the importance of seeking help when suffering from depression.
“The body of Growing Pains star Andrew Koenig was found in a Vancouver park Thursday, the victim of a suicide. ‘My son took his own life,’ his father, Walter Koenig, said in an emotional news conference in the park. The actor’s body was found about 11:30 a.m. in a heavily wooded area just off a bridle path in 1,000-acre Stanley Park, a favorite place for Koenig to frequent during his visits to Vancouver. The body was found by a private search team of his family and friends. His father was in the midst of searching when he received a cell phone call from other searchers who discovered the body,” People informs.
“‘I went to the site,’ Walter Koenig said, adding that’s when he discovered his son had committed suicide. Police and his family declined to comment on how Koenig took his life. Koneig, 41, disappeared on Feb. 16 while traveling to the British Columbia city. Mounted officers had been searching the park, but didn’t see the body amid the trees. The announcement came a day after Koenig’s father, who is also an actor – he starred as Mr. Chekov in the original Star Trek TV show and movies – made an emotional televised plea to his son to let the family know he was okay,” the publication goes on to say.
After confirming the tragic news, Walter Koenig also addressed the public, saying young people who find themselves in situations like his son should talk to somebody and not choose suicide as a solution. “There are people out there who really care,” the heartbroken father added.