After missing for two weeks, the body of Growing Pains's star Andrew Koening has been found in Stanley Park, Vancouver, in a densely wooded area.
Other than saying that "...they have no reason to believe that foul play was involved at all..." the Vancouver Police has given no details of the death and has turned the case over to the British Columbia Coroner's office.
In a news conference last night, Koenig's father, Star Trek alumnus Walter Koenig, said that his son "took his own life. The only other thing I want to say -- I've already said what a great guy he was, and good human being -- he was obviously in a lot of pain."
After being introduced for a live interview on Larry King Live, Andrew Koenig's parents walked off for "personal reasons," leaving behind a confused Larry King.
It seems that since my own Andrew -- Williamson-Noble -- died of suicide on November 3, 2009, by jumping from the 10th floor of Bobst, NYU's main library, suicide is all around me. Only two weeks ago British fashion designer, Alexander McQueen took his life, making the whole fashion industry gasp for a moment. The truth, however, is that I, like most of the world, was unaware of how big suicide really is.
It hadn't touched me, and since nobody talks about it, I didn't know that every minute in the United States a person attempts suicide, and every sixteen minutes in the United States a person dies by suicide. I bet that unless you have been touched by suicide, you'll be shocked by this staggering statistic. Suicide is a National Health Crisis and needs to be addressed.
I myself will attend a Conference organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on March 7 to 9.
At the end of the conference, as a New York delegate, I will take to "The Hill" to meet with Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Representative Nita Lowey and "place the subject of suicide on their desks." And I want to talk to them about the benefits of introducing Yoga and Meditation to the school curriculum from pre-school onwards.
And Larry King would do well to do a segment or more on the subject. And not only Larry King, but many of the other shows.
Oh, one more thing: President Obama, please end the White House practice of not sending a letter of condolence to the families of Military Personnel who have died by suicide. And let's reverse the Armed forces practice of not giving suicide victims a military funeral.
www.foreverinvictus.com
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Sometimes they are lucky and sometimes not.
Fact is that, since my brother's death nearly 14 years ago, not much has changed. Hospitals are still closed instead of becoming places of refuge and healing. Jails are still populated by many who are ill and money for community centers still isn't there. And many times hospital beds are not given to those who are mentally ill.
Parity has finally come but not soon enough and yet we all face higher costs of insurance.
Stay with us and keep the conversation going. Thank you
Thank you for saying something about this sad and tragic event that has taken place in the life of one of my favorite actors who I was lucky enough to meet breifly some years ago. Of course my heart goes out to his family as well as my prayers.
I know far too well the tragedy of this event since my own brother took his life on 9/11/1996 because he too suffered a mental illness of his own.
Please accept my personal condolences too.
I have been trying to bring this to the media's attention, but it is not a subject they want to tackle.
But we'll get there. Take care.