Investigators spotted at canal where twin boys were found dead, Latest Singapore News - The New Paper
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Investigators spotted at canal where twin boys were found dead

This article is more than 12 months old

Investigators visited a canal at the Greenridge Crescent playground on Tuesday (Jan 25), ahead of an expected scene visit with the father of the 11-year-old twins who were found dead there last Friday (Jan 21).

The father, Xavier Yap Jung Houn, 48, was charged with the murder of Ethan on Monday.

At about 2.15pm on Tuesday, two officers in plain clothes arrived at the playground in Upper Bukit Timah.

They were seen walking around the area, and are believed to be establishing the entry points into the area and the canal.

One of the men who was taking notes on a clipboard climbed down into the canal, appearing to measure the distance from the railings to the concrete base.

The men later walked further away from the area, along a pathway behind the nearby houses.

They also scoured the foliage around the other segments of the canal in the vicinity of the playground.

The men left after about 10 minutes.

The boys, identified as Aston Yap Kai Shern and Ethan Yap E Chern, were cremated at Mandai Crematorium on Monday (Jan 24).

They are believed to have had special needs and attended a school in the Eng Kong estate area.

Their father called the police for help on Friday.

He was later arrested.

During the court proceedings on Monday, the police prosecutor asked for him to be remanded for one week with permission to be taken out for investigations, including scene visits.

Numerous offerings, notes and flowers have been placed by the canal on a pathway.

Well-wishers at the canal next to the playground at Greenridge Crescent on Jan 25, 2022. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

 

Behind the offerings and along the canal appeared to be about 40m of trampled foliage, leading to a larger, covered portion of the canal.

Remnants of police presence including tape remain around the spot in the canal where the boys are believed to have been found.

Lawyer Anil Singh Sandhu, who is representing the father, told the court on Monday that the family is grieving the loss of the twins.

Police said the boys were found on Friday evening lying motionless in the canal and were pronounced dead at the scene by a paramedic.

If convicted of murder, Xavier Yap faces the death penalty.

policeMURDER/MANSLAUGHTERBukit Timah