Andrew Koenig Growing Pains Pictures: Child Actor, Director, Activist
Photo: Andrew Koeing
PICTURES: Andrew Koenig Missing
And although the former child actor appeared on several other TV shows and movies, Koenig will always be known for his recurring role on 1980s sitcom "Growing Pains" as Richard "Boner" Stabone, a pal of star Kirk Cameron's character, Mike.
But according to his family, Koenig suffered from life-long depression and was found dead Thursday in a wooded area of a sprawling park in Vancouver, Canada, where he enjoyed spending time.
Photo: Andrew Koeing
PICTURES: Andrew Koenig Missing
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."
Andrew Koeing was an advocate for refugees from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. In 2008, Koenig was arrested during the Rose Bowl parade in California while protesting China's support for Myanmar's military government.
Photo: Andrew Koeing
PICTURES: Andrew Koenig Missing
The elder Koenig, who played Pavel Chekov on the original "Star Trek" TV series, was nearby when the body was found. He said his son had cleaned out his apartment in Los Angeles, a city where he felt like he didn't belong.
Walter Koenig did not know his son planned to move to Vancouver, which is what Andrew Koenig told friends before he disappeared. The native of Venice, California, hadn't been seen since Feb. 14, while visiting friends in Vancouver.
Photo: Andrew Koeing
PICTURES: Andrew Koenig Missing
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 Andrew Koenig throughout Stanley Park, which covers more than 1,000 acres. Friends and family decided to try again on their own Thursday and one of them found Andrew Koenig's body near a marsh in a heavily wooded area about 100 feet off the Bridle Path.
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PICTURES: Andrew Koenig Missing
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