Singapore — In a deeply unsettling incident, 11 year old brothers were found dead, and the father who was charged in connection with the death of one of his eleven-year-old twin sons is now back under psychiatric observation at the Changi Prison Complex Medical Centre.
On Jan 24, he was charged with the murder of Ethan Yap E Chern. There have been no charges announced yet in connection with Ethan’s twin, Aston Yap Kai Shern.
Their father Xavier Yap Jung Houn, 48, who had alerted the authorities, was arrested the next day.
Mr Yap appeared at a hearing on Saturday (Jan 29) ahead of his scheduled hearing for Jan 31 for the second mention of his case.
After the hearing on Saturday, he was returned to prison and placed under psychiatric observation, according to The Straits Times.
A spokesperson for the State Courts, referencing the 11 year old brothers found dead, said, that no additional charges have been tendered.
He is expected to be back in court on Feb 18.
Reports also say that the two boys were understood to have special needs and were students at the Eng Kong estate area.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) received a call for assistance on Jan 21 at around 6:25 pm by a man at a playground along Greenridge Crescent.
When police officers arrived at the scene, the man’s two 11-year-old sons were found lying motionless in the vicinity of the playground.
The 11 year old brothers were found dead at the scene by a paramedic.
On Thursday (Jan 27), at about 3:10 pm, five police officers took Yap to the canal where the bodies had been found. He was wearing a red polo t-shirt and dark blue shorts, and a surgical mask.
During the half-hour or so at the canal, according to a Straits Times report, two police officers were seen setting down at least four arrow markers. One was placed at the playground near an exercise machine, another was placed in the canal, and a third on the steps leading down to the canal.
If found guilty, Yap faces the death penalty.
“This is a grave tragedy and unthinkable, especially to anyone who is a parent,” said Member of Parliament Sim Ann (PAP-Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) in a Facebook post.
“I know the news is deeply shocking and upsetting to our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the children who have lost their lives so tragically,” she added. /TISG
Read also: Father of dead twins taken back to canal where boys’ bodies were found
11-year-old twins found dead in Upper Bukit Timah playground, Gurkha alerted, father arrested