Cameron Pays Tribute To Co-star Koenig

Actor KIRK CAMERON has paid tribute to his former GROWING PAINS co-star ANDREW KOENIG, who was found dead on Thursday (25Feb10).

Koenig went missing earlier this month (Feb10), prompting Cameron - who had grown close to the actor during their stint on the hit 1980s TV show - to issue an emotional plea, begging the 41 year old to get in touch.

Friends and family feared the depressed actor had taken his own life, and on Thursday their worst fears were confirmed when a group of Koenig’s friends found his body in a park in Vancouver, Canada.

Cameron has reached out to Koenig’s grieving relatives as he mourns the loss of his beloved friend.

He tells People.com, “It is with great sorrow to hear about the final outcome of the search for my old friend Andrew. I hope everyone will be sensitive to the Koenigs and give the family some private time to reflect and to grieve the loss of their beloved son. At a time like this, we all are reminded of the briefness of life and the importance of being ready for our eternal destination. My prayers will continue to be with Andrew’s family.”

Fellow Growing Pains co-star Tracey Gold has also expressed her sympathies to Koenig’s family.

She tells UsMagazine.com, “Today is a sad day. My heart is broken for Andrew’s family. I have such great memories of Andrew and our time together on Growing Pains.”