"My son took his own life," Walter Koenig said.

[HeresyLives]

Andrew Koenig's body found; 'My son took his own life,' father says
February 25, 2010 | 5:38 pm

A tearful Walter Koenig appeared at a press conference Thursday evening to confirm that a body found earlier in the day in Vancouver's Stanley Park was that of his son, missing "Growing Pains" actor Andrew Koenig.

"My son took his own life," Walter Koenig said, wife Judy at his side.

More:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/02/missing-actor-andrew-koenig-found-dead-in-vancouver-park.html

[gateley]

1. Heartbreaking. I'm so sorry. nt

[spanone]

2. no greater pain...

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. horrible!

[HeresyLives]

And his parents were there when he was found.

[Maru Kitteh]

18. oh my :(

[hyphenate]

4. Another link w/video

http://blog.zap2it.com/thedishrag/2010/02/missing-growing-pains-star-andrew-koenigs-body-believed-found.html

[Lefta Dissenter]

5. what strength

his parents have shown, making such powerful statements on the very day that their son's body was found.

It is a sad, sad tragedy. I so wish that he could have found a way to deal with whatever he was dealing with...

:cry:

[hyphenate]

7. Depression knows no bounds

I've been suffering from major depression for longer than I care to admit, but I have never seriously considered suicide. The pain is there, but I have great help to trying to overcome it, and these peole have been wonderful in my dealing with it. There are some dark days, but I have certain responsibilities that I can't shrug away, and they keep me from sinking into the abyss.

[ChicagoSuz219]

38. Hang in there...

I'm glad you have a good support system. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[midnight]

39. This country has a long way to go toward understanding helpful treatment

for those dealing with depression. It took twelve years to pass a mental health parity bill. It finally passed in 2008. Here is some info. on former Sen. Paul Wellstone's work towards this mental health parity bill.

After a 12-year fight, mental health advocates won passage of legislation championed by the late Minnesota Sen. Paul Wellstone to require insurance companies to treat mental health on an equal basis with physical illnesses, when policies cover both.

Approval came Friday in the House as part of a $700 billion financial bailout, two days after the Senate approved the measure, and President Bush quickly signed it into law.


David Wellstone
"I'm ecstatic," said Wellstone's son, David Wellstone, who has been furiously lobbying Congress for mental health parity since his father's death in a 2002 plane crash. "Amazing. I want to pinch myself. In my family, this was a huge moment. To have my dad's legacy be this law is a great thing."http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/10/03/parity_finalpassage/

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

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[Kali]

9. did you join just to shit on people?

[niyad]

26. sounds like I missed a real jerk there

[prolesunited]

10. It has nothing to do with the show

You obviously have not dealt with suicide in your life to be so callous.

[KingFlorez]

11. Mean-spirited

I have a feeling you will not be here long, your attitude is ugly.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[johnnie]

15. .

Forget it

[blogslut]

16. I certainly hope

...that if you or someone you know come to a point where hopelessness overpowers the will to live, you will remember how wrong you were in what you said today.

[Swede]

12. That is sad news.

Depression kills a lot of people.

[Maru Kitteh]

14. Nobody should have to bury their child. Our sincere condolences to the family and friends.

[XemaSab]

17. Oh dear

:(

[cbdo2007]

19. this is very sad :(

[redwitch]

20. Our friend's son took his own life just over week ago.

Saddest memorial service ever. He was only 21.

[Maru Kitteh]

21. It's so devestating for any family, and especially parents. I literally can't imagine.

and I don't really want to.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[niyad]

27. you are obviously in real pain here. is there anybody you can talk to? are you taking anything? I

truly wish there were some way to help you--other than with the information you requested.

the people here on DU are amoung the kindest, most compassionate people I know. perhaps you can reach out, and find some comfort and ease here.

[condoleeza]

29. Dunky - what to say...

The world is evil there is no doubt, but as evil as it is, as many bastards as I've known in my life, still 99 out of a hundred are good people. You gonna let the bad 1% take you down? or are you gonna stay here and fight for what's right?

Having had my fair of trauma and 2 siblings take their own lives, I can see it from many sides and I don't want to respond with some cliche here. It's your choice to survive or not, the fact that you care about this is a good start. I'd PM you but you're new here and I tried and couldn't. I care - if that counts.

[niyad]

25. I am so sorry to hear that. have lost several dear friends to suicide--it is never easy.

[redwitch]

34. I am trying to understand but I cannot imagine the pain.

Everyone has darkness sometimes but I think for some it seems the darkness will never pass.

[Lil Missy]

22. How tragic. Depression is a serious, sometimes fatal disease.

[niyad]

24. my deepest condolences to walter and his family. how unbearably sad.

[Hoopla Phil]

28. What a damn shame.

[Historic NY]

30. It was painfull for them, but they want others to get help...so sad.

[Xipe Totec]

31. Starry Night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJjNAn84hTM

[applegrove]

32. Very sad.

[lightningandsnow]

33. So sad.

Depression is a highly treatable, but often fatal illness.

Safe passage, Andrew.

:cry:

[Shell Beau]

35. RIP "Boner". I hope his family and friends can somehow

find peace as well.

[Withywindle]

36. Oh no. I'm so sorry to the family and friends.

When I heard he had turned down work and given possessions away, I was afraid this would happen.

:cry:

[GreenPartyVoter]

37. I am so sorry for him and his family. :^( (I didn't know he was Walter's son.)