Missing 'Growing Pains' Star Andrew Koenig Gave Warning Signs, Says Friend

NY Daily News- Missing "Growing Pains" star Andrew Koenig may have given ominous warning signs before vanishing in Canada last week, a haunted friend said Monday.

Brooklyn-born filmmaker Lance Miccio said Koenig returned a book and other personal items to his doorstep and turned down two new editing jobs before leaving to visit friends in Vancouver.

"I asked him to work on a couple gigs last time we spoke (Feb. 4), and he just refused. It was unusual. He was kind of fed up with the Hollywood business," Miccio said.

"He was a really talented guy, but he may have just said enough is enough and gone off into the wild. He was a nature boy. I keep hoping for a happy ending," he said.

Miccio said he found the items from Koenig hanging on his doorknob when he returned from a trip Feb. 2. The bag included footage from their projects together and a sci-fi novel Miccio had given Koenig as a gift - "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" by Phillip K. Dick.

Koenig, 41, was last seen at a bakery in Vancouver's Stanley Park neighborhood Feb 14. Best known for playing Kirk Cameron's sidekick Richard "Boner" Stabone on the hit 1980s sitcom "Growing Pains," he never boarded his flight back to the U.S. two days later.

His dad Walter Koenig, the actor who played Pavel Chekov on "Star Trek," said Andrew suffered from depression and sent a "despondent" letter that arrived Feb. 16.

The last time Andrew Koenig called his parents was Feb. 9, they said. His cell phone last received a text Feb. 16 and is now turned off, according to Walter Koenig's website.

The Vancouver Police Missing Persons Unit said Monday it was following up on a "substantial" number of tips - and at least one official said he believes Andrew Koenig is okay.

"Electronic information leads us to believe that Andrew is still in the Vancouver area," Constable Tim Fanning told RadarOnline.com. "We think Andrew is just lying low."

Miccio said that Koenig "left his apartment in Venice, and maybe he just wanted to return everything and start over.

"He lived in Vancouver before and talked about moving back. But I think he would tell his parents. I'm at a loss," Miccio said.

"He has a lot to live for," Miccio added. "He was doing vital stuff and is loved by a lot of people."

Cameron, who played Mike Seaver on Growing Pains, told Life & Style magazine he was praying for Koenig's safe return.

"Andrew, if you're reading this, please call me," Cameron said."Mike and Boner could always work things out when they put their minds to it. I'm praying for you, pal. Hope to hear from you soon."

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