Andrew Koenig Committed Suicide
Feb. 26 2010, Published 4:48 a.m. ET
Andrew Koenig took his own life his father Walter said in a press conference Thursday.
"My son took his own life," the former Star Trek actor said while choking back tears. "He was obviously in a lot of pain."
Walter broke down and appealed to people who are suffering from depression. "If you can learn anything from this, there are people who really care."
It was a heartbreaking conclusion to a saga that began on February 14 when Andrew was last heard from. He left Los Angeles on February 4th and went to Vancouver.
Walter said that 10 people helped him search Stanley Park in Vancouver Thursday. During the search a friend phoned Walter saying that he had found Andrew's body. Walter's wife Judy was by his side during the press conference in Vancouver.
VIDEO: Andrew Koenig's Parents Walk Out On Larry King
With his voice breaking, he said: "The only other thing I want to say is, we've already said what a great guy he was, what a great human being. He was obviously in a lot of pain.
"I received an awful lot of emails, hundreds of emails from people who said he was depressed...families who said they had someone in their family who showed signs of this kind of behavior or who had in fact lost members of their family...
"If you're one of these people who feel like you can't handle it anymore, there are people out there who really care. You might not think so and ultimately it might not be enough, but there are people out there who really really care
"So before you make a final decision check it out again and talk to someone."
It's a tragic end to a heartbreaking story that started when Koenig disappeared after visiting friends on Valentines Day. He was officially reported missing after he missed a flight back to Los Angeles on February 16th.
EXCLUSIVE: Last Known Letter From Andrew Koenig
An extensive search was launched for Koenig, who was known to suffer from depression and had reportedly stopped taking his anti-depressants nearly a year ago. Friends and family rallied in their quest to locate the troubled actor, posting flyers throughout Vancouver and taking to the Internet via Twitter and Facebook in a bid to raise awareness of their plight and to try to ensure the safe return of Koenig.
EXCLUSIVE: Koenig Gave Landlord 30-Days Notice In January
As RadarOnline.com exclusively reported Koenig had given his landlord 30
days notice on his Venice, CA, apartment in January and moved out, without securing a new home, on February 4th.
In addition, Koenig had been selling off his belongings before leaving for Canada to visit friends.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Friend Of Koenig Says He's Dealt With Depression His Whole Life
In an exclusive interview with RadarOnline.com Koenig's close friend, Lance Miccio, voiced his worries about Koenig's wellbeing, sharing with RadarOnline.com that just weeks ago Koenig had ominously returned a number of personal items to Miccio, and had turned down several good job opportunities.
On Wednesday Koenig's parents had made an emotional plea for their son to contact them. With her eyes filling with tears, mom, Judy, reached out to her son, in the hope that he was still alive, "This is for Andrew. You are loved and you count and you matter.
VIDEO: Koenig's Parents Tearfully Appeal For Him To Contact Them
"Don't worry there is help, you can get through this, you have so many gifts to offer this world - and so much yet to do in this world. Look how many people love you and care about you."
Koenig was best known for his role as Richard "Boner" Stabone on the hit 80s sitcom Growing Pains. He was 42-years-old when he passed away.