Andrew Koenig, best known for his role as Richard Stabone, aka Boner, on the 1980s hit sitcom "Growing Pains," had been missing since February 14. His body was found on February 26 in the 1,000-acre Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, after a search by friends and family members. He apparently committed suicide by hanging himself.
According to his father, Walter Koenig (Pavel Chekhov on the hit series "Star Trek"), Andrew had battled depression for his entire life. According to pals, he had given away all of his belongings prior to his death. As reported by the Huffington Post, Koenig was visiting friends in British Columbia, where he’d lived several times for a period of about three years before.
Less than one week after the recovery of Koenig’s body, the police were called to the scene of another apparent suicide in the 900 block of South Flower Avenue in downtown Los Angeles.
Michael Blosil, the 18-year-old son of Marie Osmond, had thrown himself from the eighth floor of the apartment building where he lived, according to police as reported by KTLA-TV.
Blosil was a student of merchandising apparel at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. According to friends, Blosil left a suicide note detailing his long battle with depression as well.
The Osmond family has seen its share of hardships, including brothers Tom and George, as well as nephew Justin, all being born deaf.
In 2006, just days after Donny Osmond lost his mother-in-law to cancer, family patriarch George fell and broke his hip. Marie, the biological mother of three and adoptive parent of five, has been through two divorces. Marie, mother of Michael, is reported to have had depression also.
Donny and Marie, best known for their variety and talk shows, both titled "Donny and Marie," and songs such as "Puppy Love" and "Paper Roses," now host a show at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel.
The glitz and glamour of the walk of fame seems to have a dark underbelly. We’ve seen it rear its head recently in the poor behavior of other child stars such as the Olson Twins, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohen. And we are all familiar with celebrity suicides such as Kurt Cobain of the rock group Nirvana and Freddie Prinze, star of the hit sitcom "Chico and the Man."
In Hollywood, dating back to 1975 with the suicide of Jonathan Peck, son of Gregory Peck, children of celebrities are checking out of the Hotel California a bit too early.
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