Body found in waters off East Coast Park is that of 11-year-old boy who went missing on Aug 29

SINGAPORE – Police have confirmed that a body found in the waters off East Coast Park on the night of Aug 30 was that

of an 11-year-old boy who had been reported missing

.

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 wants to be known only as Ms Ain, said their neighbour’s CCTV footage recorded him leaving their home in Marine Terrace.

Hairil, who mostly did not speak, was last seen wearing grey shorts without any footwear and shirt.

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.

His body was found floating at sea off East Coast Park on Aug 30. Police said on Aug 31 that Hairil’s next of kin had identified the body to be his.

Mr Goh Pei Ming, an MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, said he was with Hairil’s family when they found out about his death.

“My heart goes out to them during this incredibly difficult time. The Marine Parade family stands with them, and we will do everything we can to support them through this period of grief and healing,” he said in a Facebook post on Aug 31.

In a separate post, he said it was “a sad day for the Marine Parade family” as it mourns the loss of one of its own.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Hairil’s family during this difficult time. May they find strength and comfort in the support of the community,” said Mr Goh, who had spoken to Hairil’s parents on Aug 30.

Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, who is also an MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, said he visited Hairil’s family at the Singapore General Hospital mortuary to convey his condolences.

In a Facebook post on Aug 31, he said: “As a father, I can only imagine the pain his parents are going through. My heart goes out to them, and I pray that Allah grants them strength, patience and comfort during this most difficult time.”

Prof Faishal said he had spoken to Hairil’s mother twice following the boy’s disappearance, adding that he and Mr Goh had sought help from the group representation constituency’s community networks, and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and mosques, especially those in the Marine Parade area, to look out for Hairil.

“Throughout this difficult period, the family shared how grateful they are to everyone – family members, friends, neighbours, volunteers, mosques and the police – for coming together in the search,” said Prof Faishal.

He added that he – alongside Mr Goh, grassroots advisers and leaders, as well as social service agencies in the GRC – will assist the family.

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 officers and pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Simon Chan, who is semi-retired, spent about five hours on Aug 30 searching for Hairil around the Marine Parade and East Coast Park areas, opting to cycle to be able to cover as much ground as possible.

The news that the boy’s body had been found was devastating, said the 55-year-old.

“As a parent myself, the ride home was particularly hard emotionally as I thought about his family and what they might be going through at that moment,” he said. 

Mr Athavan A, who was at the scene when the body was found, told The Straits Times that the air felt heavy with sadness.

“Hairil’s aunts and cousins were there crying. There were many people who were part of the search party gathered at the scene to pray for Hairil,” said Mr Athavan, who works in the therapy sector.

He added that while he did not know the boy, the tragedy deeply resonated with him as he has seen the challenges that families and children with special needs face in the course of his work.

“It’s a powerful reminder of how much awareness, understanding and stronger support systems are needed in our community,” he added.

A body on a stretcher was seen being loaded 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.

News about the search for the boy went viral after it was reported that he had gone missing.

A post on a Facebook group about the boy’s disappearance has been shared more than 6,200 times and received over 2,800 reactions and 430 comments since Aug 29. It has also been widely reposted on other Facebook groups.

The Singapore Police Force also shared an appeal for information on its Facebook page, which garnered more than 2,700 reactions, 1,700 shares and 350 comments.

ST’s post, meanwhile, received more than 1,660 reactions and shares, as well as 97 comments.

Following confirmation of Hairil’s death on Aug 31, condolence messages flooded social media. ST’s post attracted over 1,700 reactions and shares, and 141 comments within an hour after the news was published.