A father faces the death penalty after he was charged this morning with killing one of his twin sons.
Xavier Yap, 48, was charged with the murder of one of the boys, both 11 and said to have special needs, who were found dead in a canal in Upper Bukit Timah.
He was arrested Saturday, one day after a tip led the authorities to the boys’ bodies near the Greenridge Crescent playground. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
Yap appeared in court via video. His lawyer, Anil Singh Sandhu, told the court that the family was grieving for the children much like the nation was paying its respects by leaving food offerings, flowers, and candles at the site.
Many offered heartfelt condolences.
“The sudden loss of children is the ultimate nightmare of all parents, all the more so in such mysterious traumatic circumstances. We pray for the souls of the innocent boys, and extend our deepest condolences to their loved ones and relatives,” Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan wrote last night.
Six religious leaders from different faiths gathered yesterday morning for an interfaith prayer organized by neighborhood representatives, including Holland–Bukit Timah GRC MP Sim Ann.
It is not yet known how the boys were killed, but Sim told the public that time will tell.
“I know that in the minds of many, there may be questions as to how such a tragedy could come about. I believe that answers will be forthcoming in the fullness of time and in the days to follow,” she wrote yesterday.
Yap’s case will continue Jan. 31.
If you are a caretaker for a special needs family member in need of support, please contact the support groups listed here.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated that Yap had been charged in both boys’ deaths. In fact, as of Jan. 31, he had only been charged with murdering one of them. The headline has also been amended.
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