Andrew Koenig (son of Walter) missing in Vancouver

[Kanastrous]

Andrew Koenig, son of actor Walter Koenig of 'Star Trek' fame has gone missing in Vancouver, and has been unaccounted-for for some time now.

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/ ... ssing.html

If you happen to be in and/or around the Vancouver area please visit the link, and have a look at the picture and keep an eye out for Andrew while out and about - he might be in need of help.

Thanks for reading.

[Vympel]

The article indicates he was 'severely depressed'. That doesn't bode well for his safety.

[Kanastrous]

Yeah. Andrew's kind of one of those very-high-strung creative types. Hopefully he'll turn up okay. Heck, hopefully he'll notice that people are looking for him, and derive some encouragement, from that...

[Darth Fanboy]

Picked a helluva time to go missing in Vancouver, here's hoping for a happy outcome.

[FSTargetDrone]

Might want to change the subject to something like, "Walter Koenig's Son Missing in Vancouver" or whatnot and put his picture in the thread. You'll catch more attention mentioning his name in the subject (especially if you cross-post this elsewhere), frankly.

Walter Koenig's offical site has some more information.

Andrew Koenig, the son of Star Trek actor Walter Koenig, is missing. The last time Andrew Koenig was seen was on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Andrew Koenig never boarded his flight back to the US, and he hasn't heard from since then.

He was last seen at a bakery in the Stanley Park area of Vancouver.

Andrew is white, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 135 pounds and has shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes.

Andrew Koenig, 41, was working as the video producer on the show "Never Not Funny" as well as doing improv in Los Angeles. Best known as "Boner" from "Growing Pains", Andrew also had a role in "Deep Space Nine", and is a talented actor director, editor and photographer as well as a passionate activist. In 2008, he was arrested at the Rose Bowl while protesting China's part in the genocide in the country of Burma.

This is a serious matter that has Koenig's friends and family gravely concerned. If you have seen him, emailed him or had any contact after the 14th or spent time with him during his stay in Vancouver please call Detective Raymond Payette of the Vancouver PD at 604-717-2534.

[Kanastrous]

I expect you're right - if'n a mod would make the change it would be much appreciated...

[Vympel]

Edited the title.

[Solauren]

Hopefully, he just decided to stay to watch the Olympics and is enjoying himself to much to bother talking to anyone.

Hopefully. He's a funny guy.

[General Brock]

Mr. Koenig might have just honestly missed his flight, and decided to stay on a bit. Reason for concern, certainly, but he might just want quiet time for himself. Incommunicado can be a nice place sometimes.

[Imperial Overlord]

The worst possible news. His body has been found in Stanley Park. It appears he committed suicide.

[Kanastrous]

Yes. It's very sad; Andrew was a talented and hard-working guy with a lot of creative energy and drive. It's unfortunate that even with all the people who cared about him he was unable to pull out of the spiral he'd gone into.

Well, people will remember him for along time for his work. That's more than most people get.

[Broomstick]

Watching the video of his parents talk to reporters really choked me up. Brought back horrible memories of my sister's suicide 20 years ago, and how much it hurt everyone who knew her. But it sounds like the Koenigs are surrounded by friends and well wishers who will help them get through it. It is very, very sad.

[Cosmic Average]

That poor man. It must have been so horrible for him.

[Patrick Degan]

I saw the Koenigs announcing their son's death on the MSNBC video. It almost seemed at one point that Walter Koenig wanted to die himself. Horribly tragic.

[Singular Intellect]

I certainly understand the pain and suffering the family is experiencing, it's truly a tragic situation for them.

[FSTargetDrone]

Walter Koenig is 73, but in some of the video with his wife, he looked positively ancient and broken. Quite understandable.

His website has a lot of suicide prevention and warning links and information on it now, quite prominently displayed:

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM THE KOENIG FAMILY!!!

Andrew's disappearance has sparked an enormous and deeply heartwarming outpouring of support by people around the world. It has touched many who also suffer or know someone who suffers depression and may have thought of suicide, and helped give them inspiration during their difficult times.

In response to those who are reaching out, the website team is posting here helpful information regarding suicide. If you are considering suicide, please, if you take anything from this event, remember that there are people who care about you who will be saddened by your loss. Suicide is a permanent solution for a temporary problem and should never be an option.

If you are feeling desperate, alone, or hopeless... or know someone suffering, please don't delay...call for help.

US National Suicide Hotline

Toll-Free / 24 hours a day / 7 days a week

1-800-273-TALK
1-800-273-8255

1-800-799-4TTY (4889) Deaf Hotline

WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE:

* Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
* Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means
* Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
* Feeling hopeless
* Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge
* Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities - seemingly without thinking
* Feeling trapped - like there's no way out
* Increasing alcohol or drug use
* Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
* Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
* Experiencing dramatic mood changes
* Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life

RED FLAG WARNING SIGNS-
* A previously depressed person who is suddenly happy. This often means they've come to a decision to end their life.
* Actions that signal they are planning for death:
* Giving away their possessions, particularly favorite things or things with sentimental value.
* Making out wills.
* Arranging for the care of pets.
* Extravagant spending or paying off debts.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK A PERSON IS HAVING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS

* Ask the person directly if he or she (1) is having suicidal thoughts/ideas, (2) has a plan to do so, and (3) has access to lethal
means: This won’t increase the person’s suicidal thoughts. It will give you information that indicates how strongly the person has
thought about killing him- or herself.

* Take seriously all suicide threats and all suicide attempts. A past history of suicide attempts is one of the strongest risk factors for
death by suicide.

* There is no evidence that “nosuicide contracts” prevent suicide. In fact, they may give counselors a false sense of reassurance.

* Listen and look for red flags for suicidal behavior, indicated by the mnemonic:

IS PATH WARM?
Ideation—Threatened or communicated
Substance abuse—Excessive or increased

Purposeless—No reasons for living
Anxiety—Agitation/Insomnia
Trapped—Feeling there is no way out
Hopelessness

Withdrawing—From friends, family, society
Anger (uncontrolled)—Rage, seeking revenge
Recklessness—Risky acts, unthinking
Mood changes (dramatic)


HOW TO BE HELPFUL FOR SOMEONE WHO IS TALKING ABOUT OR THREATENING SUICIDE

* If you think a person might harm him or herself, don't leave them alone.
* Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide.
* Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
* Be non-judgmental. Don't debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or whether feelings are good or bad. Don't lecture on the value of life.
* Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
* Don't dare him or her to do it.
* Don't act shocked. This will put distance between you.
* Don't be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.
* Offer hope that alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance.
* Take action. Remove means, such as guns or stockpiled pills.
* Get help from persons or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
* Tell them you're going to get them some help. Give him or her a helpful resource – Send 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Tell him/her they are available 24/7 for anyone in suicidal crisis in the United States
* Take his/her words seriously and respond with compassion
* Encourage him/her to reach out for help to a friend, family member, counselor, clergy and other community members
* If the person online is saying he/she is going to kill him or herself at that moment or is in the process of attempting suicide, please try to find his/her location and call the local police or 911.