Actor Walter Koenig announced yesterday that his son’s body was found in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, reports The Star. Koenig played Pavel Chekov in the original Star Trek series.
The actor said he received hundreds of messages following a news conference he and his wife held asking for help to find their son. He was missing since February 14 and suffered from depression his whole life.
Koenig spoke emotionally during the news conference. "Before you make that final, final decision, check it out again. Talk to somebody. And for families who have somebody who they fear are susceptible to this kind of behaviour, don’t ignore it, don’t rationalize it. Extend a hand."
Their son, 41-year old Andrew Koenig, was also an actor known mainly for his role as Richard "Boner" Stabone on the 1980s comedy Growing Pains.
His parents revealed Wednesday (February 24) that Andrew had not taken his medication since falling off the map on a trip to Vancouver. He had lived in the city for a period of three years at one point. He was supposed to head back to L.A. on February 16 but never showed up.
Walter Koenig and his wife, Judy Koenig, asked for privacy to deal with their loss. They also thanked everyone who sent messages of support.