Andrew Koenig found dead in Stanley Park in Vancouver, B.C.

Andrew Koenig - Dead at 41

Oh dear.  I was hoping this wasn't going to be the news we all dreaded, but it has indeed been reported that former "Growing Pains" actor and son of Walter Koenig (from the original "Star Trek") was found dead today in Vancouver, B.C. in his favorite place, Stanley Park.

via USAToday.com

VANCOUVER — More than a week after scouring the city for missing American actor Andrew Koenig, friends who had organized their own search discovered the 41-year-old man's body in the vast urban park that he favored when he lived here more than 10 years ago.

Walter Koenig, also an actor known for his role as Chekov on the original Star Trek series, said his son's body was found Thursday by friends in Stanley Park.

Andrew's parents, Judith and Walter Koenig

"Our son took his own life," Koenig said, struggling to maintain his composure. "He was obviously in a lot of pain."

Koenig, flanked by his wife, Judith, said their son, known for his role as Richard "Boner" Stabone on the popular 1980s TV series Growing Pains, was in the midst of a life-long struggle with depression.

ins, was in the midst of a life-long struggle with depression.

"If you can learn anything from this," Koenig said, directing his comments to those who also suffer from depression, "there are people out there who care."

"In his pain," Judith Koenig said, "he didn't realize help was available to him."

Don't be afraid to call.

It's so very important for friends and family to recognize signs of depression in their loved one's hearts.  Maybe because I suffer from clinical depression, I understand and recognize it in others...but I realize, too, that sometimes we just don't want to see or feel their pain. It hurts too much.

All I ask is for you to open your eyes.