Police have confirmed that the body of a missing 11-year-old boy was found in the waters off East Coast Park on the night of Aug 30.
Muhammad Hairil Effendi, who had special needs, was last seen on Aug 29 in Marine Terrace, in the vicinity of Block 29 Marine Crescent, at around 11.05am.
His parents realised he was missing at around 11am on Aug 29, and his mother, who only wants to be known as Ms Ain, said their neighbour’s CCTV footage recorded him leaving their home in Marine Terrace.
Hairil, who mostly does not speak, was last seen wearing grey shorts without any footwear or shirt on.
The police had put out an appeal for information on Hairil’s whereabouts on the night of Aug 29. Members of the public had also circulated a poster of the missing boy on social media.
On Aug 30, a body of a boy was found floating at sea off East Coast Park. Police said on Aug 31 that Hairil’s next-of-kin had identified the body to be him.
In an earlier statement issued past midnight on Aug 31, the police said that they received a call for assistance at East Coast Park at 9.55pm on Aug 30, and on arrival, found the boy floating in the sea.
He was brought ashore by Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers and pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Athavana A, who was at the scene, told The Straits Times that the mood at the location was very sad.
“Hairil’s aunts and cousins were there crying.
“There were many people who were part of the search party who also gathered at the scene to pray for Hairil,” said Mr Athavana, who works in the therapy sector.
He added that while he did not know Hairil, the tragedy deeply resonated with him as he has seen the challenges that families and children with special needs face in his work.
“It’s a powerful reminder of how much awareness, understanding, and stronger support systems are needed in our community,” he said.
A body was seen being loaded on a stretcher into a police van at about 12.40am on Aug 31.
Preliminary investigations do not suggest foul play, said the police.
“Out of respect for the family, members of the public are advised not to share any videos or images of the deceased,” the police said, after photos and videos of the incident surfaced on social media.
- Additional reporting by Sherlyn Sim and Gabrielle Andres
Rhea Yasmine for The Straits Times
Body found in waters off East Coast Park identified as missing 11-year-old boy
