An 11-year-old boy was found dead in waters off East Coast Park on 30 August night. He had been missing since 29 August.
Police received the alert at 9.55pm. Officers found the boy in the sea. Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) brought him ashore. A paramedic pronounced him dead at the scene.
Police confirmed his identity on 31 August. The deceased was Muhammad Hairil Effendi. His next-of-kin identified the body.
Missing Since Thursday Morning
Hairil was last seen on 29 August at 11.05am. He was near Block 29 Marine Crescent at the time.
Police issued an appeal for information after he went missing. Facebook posters showed his parents’ contact details. The group Reunite Missing Children shared that Hairil had autism.
Discovery at East Coast Park
Police cordoned off part of East Coast Park when the body was found. A crowd gathered at the scene. Photos and videos of the incident spread on social media later that night.
Police asked the public not to share such material. They cited respect for the family as the reason.
An eyewitness saw police and SCDF officers arrive around 10.15pm. SCDF’s Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team started unloading equipment by 10.40pm. They prepared to dive into the waters.
SCDF divers and a red boat entered the water around 11pm. At 12.40am on 31 August, a body was placed on a stretcher. It was loaded into a police van.
Investigation Continues
Preliminary investigations show no signs of foul play. Police say investigations are still ongoing.
Police repeated their request for the public to stop sharing images or videos of the incident.
