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Former “Growing Pains” actor Andrew Koenig was found dead Thursday in a wooded area of a sprawling downtown park in Vancouver, Canada, where he enjoyed spending time, apparently after committing suicide.
The actor’s father, Walter Koenig, said “my son took his own life,” and police spokeswoman Jana McGuinness said, “I’ll let Mr. Koenig’s words speak for themselves.”
McGuinness, speaking at a press conference at the park, said foul play was not involved, but said she could not be more specific because the coroner was taking over the investigation.
“He was obviously in a lot of pain,” Walter Koenig said, referring his son’s depression.
Andrew Koenig, 41, had a recurring role on the 1980s sitcom as Richard “Boner” Stabone, a pal of star Kirk Cameron’s character, Mike. The native of Venice, California, hadn’t been seen since Feb. 14, when he was visiting friends in Vancouver.
He was supposed to return home two days later. His parents reported him missing Feb. 18, then asked the public for help finding him a few days later.
On Tuesday, Vancouver police and three search-and-rescue teams looked for any signs of Koenig throughout Stanley Park, which covers more than 1,000 acres (400 hectares). Friends and family decided to try again on their own Thursday and one of them found Koenig’s body near a marsh in a heavily wooded area about 100 feet (30 meters) off the Bridle Path. McGuinness said the body could not be seen from the walking path.
The elder Koenig, who played Pavel Chekov on the original “Star Trek” TV series, was nearby when the body was found. Hours later, Koenig and his wife, Judith, issued a statement at a police station in the park.
They said Andrew had been depressed and urged others who are having trouble coping to seek help. Earlier they had said that he had seemed detached to his friends and had given away his belongings.
“If you are one of those people who can’t handle it any more, know people are out there who really care before you make that final decision,” Walter Koenig said. “Talk to somebody.”
Andrew Koenig also appeared in “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” and the films “My Two Dads,” “NonSeNse,” “InAlienable” and “The Theory of Everything.” His father had praised his son for his acting, film editing and directing work, and said he was also a busy environmental activist. He also was an advocate for refugees from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.
There are lots of drugs in Vancouver and it’s openly available and the police don’t enforce the law. He probably scored some potent heroin and it killed him. It happens alot when people go to different states to score and they are not use to the potency.
How much you want to bet it was drugs?
i wouldnt be surpised if it was….maybe he was using all along anyways. i dontthnk he put a gun to his head. too messy, most likely od of some kind. most likely way to go painlessly anways
My sympathy goes out with the family and to the parents you did your best raising him and its sad that he went out this way and my prayers go out to you that you will get through this tragedy. My god bless you and have mercy on your son.
Wow. I guess none of you have dealt with depression; nor, apparently, have been there for someone you love who was depressed.
Really nice reaction. Hope you have the same reaction from people around you if you ever are in trouble. Just remember, whatever you put out there, eventually comes back to you. Good luck with that.
My prayers to his family and people who loved him. Godspeed.
You’re an insensitive d-bag. I hope your kids turn into junkies.
Not once does this article mention drugs. He suffered depression, was medicated at one time, but stopped taking his meds about a year ago. Thoughtless remarks by thoughtless people. My condolences to his family…
Your compassion is under whelming! Careful you might be speaking of yourself.
Money means nothing. Really….Try life after a family member commits suicide. There is no such thing as recovery for those that are left. My sympathy to the family because it’ll haunt them the rest of their lives.
i wonder why it would haunt them? could it be they had a part to play in his unhappiness also? do you folks really think his dad/mom are going to tell everyone how he moght have been molested by some a–hole in hollywood or how he hated living in such a plastic world outthere? no one livedhis life, only him. only he had reasons to do waht he did, andwhy. and depression, well maybe his family life was iced cold. maybe he could not form family attachments no spouse? no kids? no significant other? you people should read bewteen the lines to understand what his family will not tell you or own up to as to why he was unhappy. they are not going to tell you waht happened to him at age 12 or 16 or wahtever as to why he became depressed. no b/c it is private info. well put 2 and 2 together and then figure it out.
Very sad story and for unfortunate. It’s the living that suffer most when someone they love takes their life. Remember folks, NOTHING is worth taking your life. Talk to you loved ones, see a counselor, but NEVER give up. Life is so precious.
I am so sorry for the family because suicide always seems so senselesss, but this is the path he chose for whatever reason. As a family you lost him from your life. I am sure he does not want you to torture yourselves or try and figure out why because you will drive yourself crazy trying to find the answer. The bottom line is, there is no answer. I pray for you, find forgiveness in your heart. He is with God now and what better place to be. He is happy now and his sadness is gone. Just love him for all the great things he did and he sure made me laugh on his show, remember the good and don’t focus on the bad. He wouldn’t want that. Just love him as you always have. You will be with him again. God Bless You, Stay strong.
Rest in peace, Andrew. I pray that your family find the strength to get through this hard time. To all you inconsiderate pricks who feel the need to make jokes and say he was a junkie, shame on you. This man was seriously depressed. He was not out to get high and have a good time. He killed himself purposely and had obviously planned on doing it. It is extremely sad, and God forbid you ever have to feel so low you want to take your own life. Have some respect because karma is b*t@h. RIP Andrew.
Well obviously money didn’t mean much huh. Since you seem to be jealous of people with money and feel the need to make rude comments about a person who committed suicide, maybe this needs to be a lesson to you. Money doesn’t mean **** when it comes to your overall happiness. Have some compassion.
It’s sad to speculate but obviously the core of him was lost. My condolences go out to his family and others who have dealt with similar situations/tragedies. Often times anti depression medicine makes a person even more suicidal especially after taking it for a certain amount of time, then getting off of the medication. The answer is only with that individual who is dealing with depression. He/She needs to realize that there is a purpose in their being here and that things will get better. Mainly though they need to stop going inwards and instead reach out to others/help others and find a bigger purpose than their own little bubble. Best wishes.
Don’t try to post a reply using his nickname from the show, Richard Stabone… The word police will delete your message.
Spoiled, Depressed, Rich kid.
What’s with people these days?
hey audio i wouldnt exactly say that…may he used this one time to check out. doesnt mean he was a habitual user. and being a junky, well after living in hollywood who could blame him? is that really a healthy place to be mentally anyways? i dont thnk so
OMG! Boners DEAD!
Depression is an imbalance in the brain. The brain is just another organ like the heart or the liver. Sometimes it gets out of whack. I speak from experience.
There is not necessarily an external cause of depression although circumstances can contribute. An external cause is called situational depression.
Detachment from friends and family and giving away one’s possessions are classic signs of someone who is planning suicide.