Sad End for ‘Growing Pains’ actor Andrew Koenig

‘GROWING Pains’ actor Andrew Koenig took his own life, his father Walter Koenig has confirmed.

A source close to the investigation into the death of Andrew Koenig told E! News that the 41-year-old actor’s body was found Thursday in Vancouver’s Stanley Park hanging from a tree.According to the insider, Koenig’s body was discovered by one of 11 friends and family members who had organised their own search party.Three authorised search-and-rescue teams had searched the area on Tuesday, but it was a friend who ultimately found what Koenig’s loved ones had dreaded they were going to find.Koenig was discovered in a densely wooded area of native pines and brush, so deep into the forest off Stanely Park’s Bridle Path, one of dozens of trails in the 1 000-acre area, that it appeared to the search party that ‘Andrew didn’t want to be found,’ the source said.The person who found him then alerted the other searchers via cellphone, after which Koenig’s father, Walter, came to what was described as a ‘grisly’ scene and identified his son.Vancouver police have declined to comment on the nature of Koenig’s death due to the ongoing investigation. But a police spokesman tells E! News that foul play has been ruled out and all evidence points to suicide.A source in the Provincial coroner’s office says that the exact cause of death may not be known for another two months, which is a ‘not unusual’ length of time for such an investigation.Close friends and family contacted by E! News on Friday declined to go on camera and were directing all inquiries to Walter Koenig. So far, the family hasn’t released any information about a funeral or pending memorial service.But they are already focusing their energies on their son’s legacy.’Andrew was a man who cared deeply about others, and who acted on his conscience, working on a grass roots level to help those in need,’ parents Walter and Judith said in a statement Friday. ‘To honour him and his life, we are suggesting people donate in Andrew’s memory to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or US Campaign for Burma.’When addressing the media yesterday, the family encouraged anyone suffering from depression, like their son did, to seek help.Andrew Koenig’s former Growing Pains co-star Kirk Cameron was one of the first celebrities to speak out when the actor went missing; it’s only fitting that he’s done the same in the wake of his death.’It is with great sorrow to hear about the final outcome of the search for my old friend Andrew,’ he said in a statement. ‘I hope everyone will be sensitive to the Koenigs and give the family some private time to reflect and to grieve the loss of their beloved son.’At a time like this, we all are reminded of the briefness of life and the importance of being ready for our eternal destination. My prayers will continue to be with Andrew’s family.’But he wasn’t the only ‘Growing Pains’ alum to offer condolences.’My family and I are truly heartbroken to hear of the tragic end of this situation,’ Jeremy Miller, who played Ben, said in a statement. ‘Our condolences go out to his family. The pain they must be feeling is incomprehensible. They are in our thoughts and prayers.’Tracey Gold also released a statement today in response to Koenig’s death.’Today is a sad day. My heart is broken for Andrew’s family. I have such great memories of Andrew and our time together on ‘Growing Pains’,’ she said.As for Koenig’s family members, they too are struggling with their loss. Andrew’s brother-in-law, comedian and ‘Never Not Funny’ podcaster Jimmy Pardo, has cancelled his next three stand-up shows and issued the following statement:’The Andrew we will remember and celebrate is the Andrew we saw every week at the studio: the kind and caring vegan, the videographic wizard, and most of all, the gifted performer with a passion for comedy who laughed at us and made us laugh. We will miss him always.’- www.eonline.com

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