Father says actor died by suicide

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Former “Growing Pains” actor Andrew Koenig was found dead Thursday in a wooded area of a sprawling downtown park where he enjoyed spending time, apparently after committing suicide.

His father, Walter Koenig, said “my son took his own life.” Police spokeswoman Jana McGuinness said, “I’ll let Mr. Koenig’s words speak for themselves.”

“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, Calif., 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.

On Tuesday, Vancouver police and three search-and-rescue teams looked for signs of Koenig throughout Stanley Park, which covers more than 1,000 acres. Friends and family decided to try again Thursday, and one of them found Koenig’s body near a marsh.

The elder Koenig, who played Pavel Chekov on the original “Star Trek” TV series, 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.