VANCOUVER, B.C — Missing Growing Pains actor Andrew Koenig was found dead Thursday in Vancouver’s Stanley Park. He was 41.
“My son took his own life,” his father, Walter Koenig, said at an evening news conference held at the park. “He was obviously in a lot of pain.”
Koenig was reported missing over the weekend by his family. He was last seen at a Vancouver bakery on Feb. 14.
The Koenigs said the actor was “suffering from depression” at the time of his disappearance. His cell phone last received a text message on Feb. 16, the same day he failed to board a return flight to the U.S.
Celebrities including Sarah Silverman, Alyssa Milano and Kevin Smith posted Twitter messages to raise awareness after Koenig was reported missing. During an appearance on the Today Show earlier this week, the Koenigs said they were refusing to fear for the worse.
“I don’t want to think that way,” said his father, best known for playing Pavel Chekov on Star Trek. “I’m trying very hard not to think that way.”
Koenig starred as Richard “Boner” Stabone on the popular ’80s sitcom from 1985 to 1989. In more recent time, he was a dedicated environmental activist, but his family said he long struggled with depression.
“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,” his father pleaded at the news conference. “Talk to somebody.”
