Boner from Growing Pains missing at large

[MindCrime]

VANCOUVER — To the hundreds of joggers, bicyclists and strollers enjoying the sunshine in Stanley Park, the police on horseback could have passed as a small part of the $900 million security effort for the Winter Olympics.

In fact, the mounted officers and dozens of other investigators dispatched throughout the city have an altogether different mission: they are part of a growing search for American actor Andrew Koenig, reported missing last Thursday.

Koenig, 41, known for his role on the television series Growing Pains, was scheduled to return to his home in Venice, Calif., Feb. 16. But police Constable Tim Fanning said Koenig never boarded the airplane at Vancouver International Airport.

Investigators believe Koenig still is in the Vancouver area where he once lived and "doesn't want to be found," Fanning says.

Fanning said friends and relatives said Koenig was feeling "despondent" before he went missing while visiting friends. Fanning said the actor's trip to Vancouver was not related to the Olympics.

In a statement posted on his website, Walter Koenig, the missing man's father, said he received a troubling letter from his son Feb. 16.

The father, also an actor, said he grew concerned about his son's welfare because of the letter's "despondent tone."

"I think it's something that has been part of his makeup for a long time," the father said, adding that drugs were not involved. "There is no episode (that triggered his depression). There is nothing of that nature."

The last time the family heard from Koenig by phone was Feb. 9, according to the father's website.

Koenig is best known for playing the role of Richard "Boner" Stabone on the former television series Growing Pains, which ran for seven years beginning in 1985.

His father's website also describes him as a "producer, director, writer, editor and photographer."

Fanning said investigators have focused part of their search in Stanley Park, a vast swath of urban open space, where Koenig liked to walk and was last seen Feb. 14.

Police have combed the more than 150 miles of trails in the park on horseback and on foot.

They also have been monitoring activity on his credit card and cellphone. Fanning declined to comment on whether the card and phone were being used. But he said investigators believe Koenig is still in the Vancouver area.

According to the father's website, Koenig's phone last received a text message Feb. 16. He also made a bank transaction on the same day.

Fanning said police went public with their search Sunday, in part to solicit new information about the man's possible whereabouts.

Even as the police department has deployed hundreds of its officers to the streets to deal with massive Olympic crowds, Fanning said the department would continue to dedicate personnel to the search.

"We will use as many as we think will be helpful," the constable said.

Koenig is described as 5-feet-5 inches tall and 135 pounds, with long, brown shoulder-length hair.

Fanning said family members were en route to Vancouver to assist police.

"Obviously, he does not want to be found," the constable said.

(Source: USA Today - Feb 22)

[MarcM]

My gut tells me he is not OK.

[RonJonSurfer]

I totally misread that headline.

[MindCrime]

It is funny, now that you mention it.

[TheLizard]

Perhaps Boner made off with Kirk Cameron's brain.

Zinger!

[Lucky]

Obviously, he does not want to be found," the constable said.

Rather callous. How can he assume that?

[Shawna]

maybe because he can't find him, and he doesn't want to appear incompetent.

[MindCrime]

He's had a rough history, it's probably drug related.

[miamisammy29]

Thank god it's not Skippy from 'Family Ties'.

[MarcM]

Unfortunately, I was right.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/abraham/detail??blogid=95&entry_id=58002

[MindCrime]

That's very sad that his life had to come down to that.

[MuzikTyme]

The title to this thread is so innocent it's almost naughty.

A friend of mine years ago was a fortune teller and a midget (little person). She was caught red-handed, declared a charlatan and jailed immediately but escaped!

The headline in the next day's paper read:

"Small medium at large!"

[MindCrime]

The title to this thread is so innocent it's almost naughty.

It is, but the pun was actually non-intentional, just coincidentally naughty.