'Growing Pains' star Andrew Koenig's body found
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Actor Andrew Koenig, who made appearance in the late-80s ABC television series "Growing Pains", was found dead in a park in Vancouver, Canada after his disappearance some 15 days ago, it was reported Thursday.
Local police department said the 41-year-old star apparently committed suicide due to longtime depression and despondency. He last made contact with his parents, "Star Trek" actor Walter Koenig and actress Judy Levitt via mobile phone and then afterwards shut down the phone. He was last seen in Vancouver, and was due to return to his California home two days later.
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Andrew Koenig in a file photo [imdb.com] |
However, Koenig was still unaccounted for by the time he was supposed to return. On Feb. 18, his parents called local police for help. A massive search and rescue operation was conducted at Stanley Park, one of several places the late actor was fond of. On the noon of Thursday, the Koenigs who had initiated their own private search found their son's body.
The police has declined to describe the situation where Koenig took his life.
Koenig was reported to have sent a letter to his parents, in which he showed a strong mood of depression.
At the press conference held soon after their son's body was found, Walter Koenig called on families that have depressed loved ones not to give up hope. "Those families who have members they fear are susceptible to this kind of behavior, don't ignore it, don't rationalize it," he said between long and painful pauses.
Judy Levitt said, "There is help. They need help ... don't rationalize away anything; connect with each other."
