Members of the public turn up to pay respects at grave of boy with autism who went missing

Several people turned up to pay their respects at the burial site of the 11-year-old boy with autism, Muhammad Hairil Bin Muhammad Effendi.

Prayers

When Mothership visited Lim Chu Kang cemetery on Aug. 31 at around 4:30pm, there were numerous people, both family, neighbours, and members of the public, who had come to pay their respects.

The latter had learnt about Hairil from social media.

Hairil's funeral preparations had taken place earlier at Jalan Bahar.

Speaking to Mothership, one couple shared that they dropped by the cemetery where Hairil was laid to rest to pay their respects.

"We have a child who is autistic as well, and our child got lost before. So we know how the parents feel," said the woman.

She added that they are also there to give support to the family members.

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Background

Hairil went missing on Aug. 29 at 29 Marine Crescent at around 11:05am. He was described as being nonverbal.

At around 9:55pm on Aug. 30, a body was found floating in the waters off East Coast Park.

He was brought ashore by SCDF officers and pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic.

The boy's next-of-kin identified the body to be that of Hairil.

Preliminary investigations do not suspect foul play.

Police investigations are ongoing.

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Top photos via Azrizal Bin Abu Che/Mothership