Body of 11-Year-Old Boy Found in East Coast Park Waters

On the morning of August 29, an 11-year-old boy left his home in Marine Terrace and did not return. By evening the next day, Muhammad Hairil Effendi’s body had been found in the waters off East Coast Park, ending a desperate search that had gripped Singapore. The tragedy has left a community grieving and authorities investigating what happened in the roughly 34 hours between his disappearance and discovery.

Location: East Coast Park, Singapore ·
Date Found: Aug 30, 2025 ·
Victim Age: 11 years old ·
Foul Play Suspected: No ·
Identification: Hairil

East Coast Park boy body found

Discovery details

Police received a call for assistance at 9:55pm on August 30, 2025, after a body was discovered floating in the sea off East Coast Park. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded alongside officers, with eyewitnesses reporting that authorities arrived at the scene around 10:15pm. A crowd had gathered at the park by that time, with photos and videos of the recovery effort circulating on social media.

Recovery process

The Dart team, a specialized unit within the Singapore Police Force, pulled the body from the water at 11:15pm. SCDF officers then brought the body ashore, where a paramedic pronounced the child dead at the scene. Officers loaded the body onto a stretcher and into a police van between 12:40am and 12:42am on August 31. Police issued a statement past midnight confirming the discovery but had not yet identified the body.

Missing boy Marine Terrace found dead

Missing report

Muhammad Hairil Effendi was last seen at around 11:05am on August 29, 2025, in the vicinity of Block 29 Marine Crescent. Parents realized he was missing around 11am and immediately notified police. Neighbour’s CCTV footage showed the boy leaving his home in Marine Terrace. Police issued a public appeal for information that same day, with missing posters featuring the parents’ contact details circulating widely on Facebook.

Identification

The boy’s mother, known as Ms Ain, spoke to reporters about the CCTV footage showing Hairil leaving home. At 11:48am on August 31, police confirmed that next-of-kin had identified the body as Muhammad Hairil Effendi. His father, Mr Fendi, confirmed that his son had autism but declined to share further details out of respect for the ongoing funeral proceedings. Police have advised members of the public not to share any videos or images of the deceased out of respect for the family’s privacy.

East Coast Park body found

Location specifics

The body was recovered from waters off Marine Terrace, within East Coast Park. Based on the geography between Marine Crescent and the coastline, the discovery point is approximately 1–2km from where Hairil was last seen. East Coast Park has experienced water-related incidents before, including a previous drowning involving a 62-year-old man, though officials have not linked the cases.

Police arrival

Eyewitness Mr Athavan A told The Straits Times that police and SCDF officers arrived at approximately 10:15pm on August 30. The operational response involved multiple agencies working together: patrol officers secured the scene, the Dart team conducted the water recovery, and SCDF paramedics provided medical confirmation of death.

Missing boy found dead Singapore

Search context

The search for Hairil drew significant public attention. Beyond police appeals, volunteers and community members shared missing posters across social media platforms. The boy’s status as a child with special needs added urgency to the search efforts, with many residents alert for any sign of the 11-year-old.

Autism mention

Hairil had been described as a child with special needs, including autism, in multiple reports. Mr Fendi confirmed his son’s condition when speaking to Channel News Asia, though he asked for privacy as the family arranged funeral services. Experts note that children with autism can be drawn to water or may wander without understanding dangers, a pattern seen in similar cases worldwide.

East Coast Park news

Official statements

The Singapore Police Force released two key statements. The first, issued past midnight on August 31, confirmed the discovery and initial findings. The second, released at 11:48am that day, confirmed identification. Both statements emphasized that preliminary investigations did not suspect foul play and that inquiries were ongoing. Channel News Asia, The Straits Times, and Mothership all published coverage drawing from these official confirmations.

Next steps

An autopsy is expected to determine the official cause of death. Police have not specified a timeline for completing that examination. The family has begun funeral arrangements, with Mr Fendi indicating on August 31 that proceedings were underway.

“Out of respect for the family, members of the public are advised not to share any videos or images of the deceased.”

— Singapore Police Force (Channel News Asia)

“His son had autism, but declined to share more due to ongoing funeral proceedings.”

— Mr Fendi, father (Channel News Asia)

“The police and SCDF officers arrived at about 10.15pm.”

— Mr Athavan A, eyewitness (The Straits Times)

The investigation into Muhammad Hairil Effendi’s death continues, with police expected to release autopsy findings in the coming weeks. For Singapore families caring for children with autism, this case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of safety planning, neighborhood awareness, and specialized support services.

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