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Father of 5-year-old boy found dead to be charged with murder
- Thread starter Callisto
- Start date
5-year-old boy found dead in D'Leedon Condo
From left: Philippe Graffart has been charged with murder after his 5-year-old son was found dead on October 6. An unidentified woman (top right) was seen crying and speaking to police officers at the condominium after the discovery. Another woman (bottom right, in white), believed to be the boy's mother, was seen walking into the condominium with police officers.
Photo: Shin Min Daily News, Lianhe Wanbao
UPDATE: Police have charged a 42-year-old man for murder after a 5-year-old boy was found dead in D'Leedon Condominium on Tuesday morning. He will appear in court on Oct 7.
According to The Straits Times, the boy's name is Keryan and his father is Philippe Graffart from Belgium.
Lianhe Wanbao reported that Keryan is believed to have been strangled to death.
A domestic helper living in a unit on a different floor said she had heard people arguing in the unit a week ago.
The woman told Wanbao that Graffart seemed to dote on his son, and the duo were often seen in the condominium pool together. Posts on his Facebook page also showed a close relationship, and that the boy had just celebrated his birthday in September.
In one photo posted by Graffart, the boy can be seen in his school uniform. Graffart said in the caption: "I am very proud of you Keryan, you are a big boy now".
He wished his son happy birthday in another photo uploaded on September 25. The photo shows Keryan playing with another child, both of them donning party hats.
Shin Min Daily News reported spotting a woman being escorted into the condominium by police officers. She had a look of anguish and the paper's reporter said she is believed to be the boy's mother.
Graffart had rented the condominium unit from a couple just this year.
He is listed as an employee of Nordea Investment Management on his LinkedIn profile.
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SINGAPORE - A five-year-old boy was found dead in D'Leedon Condominium along Farrer Road on Tuesday morning (Oct 6), police said in a press statement.
Police added that an injured man was found outside Bukit Timah Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) at 5.11am in the morning. The 42-year-old man was sent to the hospital for medical treatment.
Upon questioning the man, police proceeded to a unit at Block 3 of the condominium, where the injured man's son was found lying motionless inside the bedroom.
Photo Gallery
Photo Source: The Straits Times, Shin Min Daily News, Lianhe Wanbao, Facebook screengrabs
Police said that the boy was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene at about 6.17am.
According to The Straits Times, both the man and child are believed to be European. The case is believed to have occurred in a unit on the 32nd storey.
The Straits Times added that at about 9am, a woman in her early 40s was seen at the foot of block looking distraught. She walked to the security guard post at the condominium entrance before she was escorted away by security officers.
Police have classified the case an an unnatural death.
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Man arrested after five-year-old son found dead in bedroom
Belgian Philippe Graffart, 41, was arrested after his five-year-old son Keryan was found dead in Graffart's home on Oct 6, 2015. PHOTO: PHILIPPE GRAFFART/FACEBOOK
Published Oct 7, 2015, 5:00 am SGT
Ng Huiwen
It was just after 5am yesterday when police found an injured 41- year-old man outside Bukit Timah Neighbourhood Police Centre.
An hour later, they made a more shocking find in a bedroom of the man's home in the posh D'Leedon condominium located 2km away - the body of his five-year-old son.
The boy, Keryan, is understood to have been strangled. Hand-shaped bruises were supposedly found all over his neck.
Classifying the case as murder, the police have arrested the man - Mr Philippe Graffart, a Belgian.
He is head of the Singapore investment management arm of Nordea, a company that describes itself as the largest financial group in northern Europe.
It is believed that Mr Graffart had been fighting for custody of the boy with his former wife.
The dramatic series of events began when police found an injured Mr Graffart at 5.11am outside the police centre.
The nature of his injuries, believed to have been self-inflicted, has not been revealed.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force was alerted at 5.15am and Mr Graffart was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for treatment.
Police then went to D'Leedon near Farrer Road. In the 32nd-storey apartment in Block 3, the boy was found lying motionless inside the bedroom.
He was pronounced dead by paramedics at 6.17am.
From early morning until noon, police officers and at least five police vehicles were seen entering and leaving the estate.
At about 9am, a woman in her early 40s, believed to be a relative of the boy, was seen at the foot of the block looking distraught.
She walked to the security guard post at the condominium entrance before being escorted away by security officers.
A police hearse arrived at about 11am and left 15 minutes later with the boy's body.
Several consular officers were also present, although the Belgian Embassy has declined to comment on the case.
Many residents, who began moving into the condominium from January this year, went about their daily activities unaware of what had happened.
Mr Graffart's Facebook page showed a father and son who shared a loving relationship.
A post dated Aug 24 showed him taking his child to a fire station. He had posted then: "It is so good to finally see you, my son."
A few days later, Mr Graffart put up a picture showing him embracing Keryan at the Canadian International School. The boy, dressed in his school uniform, was pictured beaming widely.
Mr Graffart wrote: "I am very proud of you Keryan, you are a big boy now."
Another photograph and a video taken by Mr Graffart show his son celebrating his fifth birthday two weeks ago, playing with balloons and blowing out candles on his birthday cake.
Man, 41, charged with murder of 5-year-old son
Belgian Philippe Graffart (centre) arriving at the State Courts on Wednesday (Oct 7). ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
Published Oct 7, 2015, 8:53 am SGT
Amir Hussain
SINGAPORE - A 41-year-old man was charged in court on Wednesday (Oct 7) morning with the murder of his five-year-old son.
Philippe Marcel Guy Graffart is accused of killing his son, Keryan Gabriel Cedric Graffart, in their home sometime between 8.54pm on Monday and 5.29am on Tuesday.
No plea was taken.
The case will be heard in court again on Oct 28.
Earlier on Wednesday, Graffart arrived in the State Courts in an unmarked police car just before 8.50am.
Belgian Philippe Graffart arriving at State Courts
Dressed in a black T-shirt and blue shorts, and escorted by police officers in the car, he looked dazed and tired.
The Belgian national was found with self-inflicted injuries outside Bukit Timah Neighbourhood Police Centre just past 5am on Tuesday.
An hour later, police found his son, Keryan, dead in their 32nd-storey apartment in D'Leedon condominium located 2km away in Farrer Road.
Keryan is understood to have been strangled. Hand-shaped bruises were supposedly found all over his neck.
Graffart was arrested for murder.
He is the head of the Singapore investment management arm of Nordea, a company that describes itself as the largest financial group in northern Europe.
It is believed that he had been fighting for custody of the boy with his former wife.
The Belgian Embassy, when contacted on Tuesday, declined to comment on the case.
Graffart's Facebook page showed a father and son who shared a loving relationship.
A post dated Aug 24 showed him taking his child to a fire station. He had posted then: "It is so good to finally see you, my son."
A few days later, he put up a picture showing him embracing Keryan at the Canadian International School. The boy, dressed in his school uniform, was pictured beaming widely.
He wrote: "I am very proud of you Keryan, you are a big boy now."
Another photograph and a video taken by Graffart show the boy celebrating his fifth birthday two weeks ago, playing with balloons and blowing out candles on his birthday cake.
District Judge Eddy Tham granted the prosecution's application to remand Graffart for psychiatric observation at the medical complex in Changi Prison.
Loving photos belie murder most foul: Belgian financial executive charged with strangling 5-year-old son in Singapore
The boy was reportedly found in his bedroom with hand-shaped bruises around his neck and his parents, divorced, are believed to be fighting over his custody
PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 07 October, 2015, 1:49pm
UPDATED : Wednesday, 07 October, 2015, 7:03pm
Agence France-Press in Singapore
Belgian national Philippe Graffart (centre) arrives at the state court in Singapore. The 41-year-old financial executive was charged on Wednesday with murdering his 5-year-old son in Singapore, an offence punishable by hanging. Photo: AFP
A Belgian financial executive was charged on Wednesday with murdering his five-year-old son in Singapore, an offence punishable by hanging.
Philippe Graffart, 41, was accused of killing his son Keryan at an upmarket condominium near Singapore’s embassy row between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Graffart's Facebook page showed a loving relationship with his son. Photos: Facebook
He has been remanded for psychiatric observation at the medical complex in Changi Prison.
Local media reported the boy was found strangled, with hand-shaped bruises around his neck, and Graffart was believed to have been fighting for custody of his son with his former wife.
He was arrested before dawn on Tuesday after showing up with self-inflicted wounds outside a police station, the Straits Times said. The charge sheet contained no further details.
Graffart was due to fly to Hong Kong on Wednesday for work and arrangements had been made for Keryan's mother to pick him up from school, the Straits Times quoted Graffart's domestic helper Ni Em Cin as saying.
The Belgian’s account on business networking service LinkedIn described him as an executive director and head of fund distribution in the Asia-Pacific for Nordea Investment Management, based in Oslo.
A Facebook account in his name showed a collection of happy pictures with Keryan.
“Happy Birthday to you Keryan! 5 years i am so proud of you!,” said a post dated September 25.
Alleged murder in D'Leedon: Belgium media highlights possibility of death penalty
Philippe Graffart was charged on Wednesday with the murder of his son, Keryan.ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
Published 9 October 2015
Jasmine Osada
SINGAPORE -The arrest of Belgian expatriate Philippe Graffart for the alleged murder of his five-year-old son has attracted media attention in Belgium, with many Belgian news reports focusing on how he faces the death penalty.
Newspapers like the La Dernière Heure (The Latest Hour), a French-language daily published in Brussels, kicked off their reports by stating that Graffart faces the death penalty by hanging if he is convicted. Others, such as La Meuse, a French-language regional paper published in Liège, Belgium, ran the death penalty threat as a headline.
Graffart, 41, was charged in court on Wednesday with the murder of his son, Keryan Gabriel Cedric Graffart. The boy was understood to have been strangled as hand-shaped bruises were found over his neck.
The La Dernière Heure said on Wednesday that Graffart's mother was trying to help him. The newspaper also quoted Graffart's uncle, who was unnamed, as saying that the family was "in shock" over the incident.
Belgian minister of foreign affairs Didier Reynders said that consular assistance has been offered to Graffart's family in Singapore, according to the La Dernière Heure. Mr Reynders also told the Brussels newspaper that Belgium is against the death penalty.
"Belgium is campaigning in the front line and has always been against the death penalty. We operate all over the world to demand its abolition. Belgium's position is very clear on the matter. If any of our people had to be condemned to such penalty, it is clear that we will take steps to publicise our position again," the La Dernière Heure quoted Mr Reynders as saying.
The Straits Times was not able to verify the comments, as the Belgian Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Corporation, which is responsible for Belgium's external relations, had not responded to messages by press time. The Belgian Embassy in Singapore has declined to comment on the case.
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Alleged murder in D'Leedon: Belgian man to be remanded for another four weeks
Belgian Philippe Marcel Guy Graffart will be remanded for another four weeks at Changi Prison to complete his psychiatric assessment. ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
Published 28 October 2015
Ng Huiwen
SINGAPORE - The Belgian man accused of killing his five-year-old son in their D'Leedon condominium home will be remanded for another four weeks at the Changi Prison Complex for psychiatric assessment to be completed.
Philippe Marcel Guy Graffart, who appeared in court via video-link, is represented by defence lawyer Ramesh Tiwary.
The 41-year-old was charged on Oct 7 with the murder of Keryan Gabriel Cedric Graffart. He allegedly committed the act at his 32nd-storey home at 3, Leedon Heights.
Graffart works for the Singapore investment management arm of Nordea, a company that describes itself as the largest financial group in northern Europe.
General manager of Nordea Private Banking in Singapore, Mr Kim Osborg Nielsen, was seen in court together with two other representatives.
A consular officer from the Belgian Embassy was also present.
They were unable to confirm if Graffart's family members were in court.
The case will be heard in court again on Nov 25.
If convicted of murder, Graffart faces the death penalty.
Belgian accused of killing son to be remanded another week
Philippe Marcel Guy Graffart (centre) was charged on Oct 7 with the murder of his son.PHOTO: ST FILE
Published Nov 25, 2015, 3:39 pm SGT
Amir Hussain
SINGAPORE - The Belgian man accused of killing his five-year-old son in their D'Leedon condominium home will be remanded for another week at the Central Police Division to assist in investigations.
Philippe Marcel Guy Graffart, who appeared in court looking calm and relaxed on Wednesday (Nov 25), is being represented by defence lawyer Ramesh Tiwary.
District Judge Eddy Tham granted the prosecution's application for Graffart to be taken out of remand to assist in investigations.
The 41-year-old was charged on Oct 7 with the murder of Keryan Gabriel Cedric Graffart. He allegedly committed the act at his 32nd-storey home at 3, Leedon Heights.
He was then remanded for four weeks at the medical centre in Changi Prison for psychiatric assessment.
Graffart works for the Singapore investment management arm of Nordea, a company that describes itself as the largest financial group in northern Europe.
General manager of Nordea Private Banking in Singapore, Mr Kim Osborg Nielsen, was seen in court together with three other company representatives.
The case will be heard in court again on Dec 2.
If convicted of murder, Graffart faces the death penalty.
Charge of murdering son, 5, to be amended if Belgian expat pleads guilty
Belgian expatriate Philippe Marcel Guy Graffart arriving at the State Courts on Oct 7, 2015.PHOTO: ST FILE
Published 10 hours ago
Elena Chong
Court Correspondent
SINGAPORE - A Belgian expat accused of killing his five-year-old son in their D'Leedon condominium home will face a reduced charge of culpable homicide should he elect to plead guilty.
The offer to plead guilty came from the prosecution when the case of Philippe Marcel Guy Graffart was mentioned in the State Courts on Wednesday (March 23).
The 42-year-old was charged on Oct 7 last year with murdering Keryan Gabriel Cedric Graffart at his 32nd-storey flat at Leedon Heights between Oct 5 and 6.
Graffart worked for the Singapore investment management arm of Nordea, a company that describes itself as the largest financial group in northern Europe.
As Graffart was sick, his lawyer Ramesh Tiwary said he would take instructions from his client regarding the prosecution's amendment.
As to why the prosecution is amending the charge, a spokesman for the Attorney-General's Chambers said: "Every case is assessed on its own merits. The prosecution carefully considered the facts and circumstances of this case.
"The accused suffered from major depressive disorder which substantially impaired his mental state at the time of the offence. The charging and sentencing position will be made clear when the matter is heard in open court."
A pre-trial conference is scheduled in the High Court on March 29.
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Belgian pleads guilty to killing 5-year-old son in D'Leedon condominium
Belgian expatriate Philippe Marcel Guy Graffart seen arriving at the State Courts in October 2015. He pleaded guilty on August 1 having admitted to causing the death of his five-year-old son last October. PHOTO: ST FILE
Published Aug 1, 2016, 11:02 am SGT
Selina Lum
SINGAPORE - Facing mounting pressure in a battle with his French wife over custody of their young son, a Belgian expatriate suffocated the five-year-old by pressing a cushion over the boy's head.
As Philippe Marcel Guy Graffart cradled the motionless body in his arms, he told his son Keryan that he loved him and was going to join him.
The 42-year-old left his Leedon Heights apartment and sped along the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) before deliberately crashing his car into the wall of the tunnel.
He was rescued and taken to the Singapore General Hospital with minor injuries, but left the hospital on his own and contemplated other means of suicide before he decided to head to a police station.
Details surrounding the killing of five-year-old Keryan Gabriel Cedric Graffart last October emerged in the High Court on Monday (Aug 1), when Graffart pleaded guilty to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and admitted causing the death of the boy at his 32nd-storey apartment on Oct 5 last year between 9pm and 10.17pm.
The court heard that after his failed suicide attempt, Graffart turned up at Bukit Timah Neighbourhood Police Centre at about 4.30am on Oct 6.
An officer on duty noticed Graffart looking disoriented, with cuts and scrapes on his forearms, the needle of an intravenous drip attached to his right hand, and a hospital identification tag on his left wrist.
When questioned, Graffart revealed that he had tried to kill himself. He then told the officer: "I have done something really bad to my son."
When police officers went to his apartment, they found Keryan's body on the bed in the master bedroom. The boy was pronounced dead by paramedics at 6.17am.
An autopsy found bruises and abrasions on the boy's head but could not ascertain the cause of death. Zolpidem, a medication used to treat insomnia not recommended for use in children, was found in the boy's blood.
Graffart, who was the head of fund distribution for the Asia Pacific region with Nordea Bank, was initially charged with murder.
The charge was later amended to the lesser offence of culpable homicide as he was assessed to be suffering from major depressive disorder, which substantially impaired his judgment. He will be sentenced on Aug 22. He faces a maximum of 10 years' jail, with caning and a fine.
[email protected]
Belgian jailed for 5 years for killing son in Singapore
Belgian expatriate Philippe Marcel Guy Graffart arriving at the State Courts in the morning of 7 October 2015 in an unmarked police car looking dazed and tired.
Photo: The Straits Times
Monday, Aug 22, 2016
SINGAPORE - A Belgian expatriate was sentenced to five years' jail in Singapore on Monday for killing his five-year-old son last year while suffering from severe depression during a child custody battle.
Philippe Graffart, 42, was sentenced on a reduced charge of culpable homicide instead of murder, after psychiatric findings showed he had "diminished responsibility" for suffocating his son Keryan with a pillow in their apartment.
Murder is punishable by hanging in Singapore.
Judicial Commissioner Hoo Sheau Peng said she took into consideration the grievous nature of the offence, the fact that it had been committed against a vulnerable child, and the fact that the offender was the child's own parent.
"This sentence is necessary to show that the accused's actions are not to be condoned," Hoo said.
For culpable homicide without the intention of causing death, Graffart could have been jailed up to 10 years, caned and fined - or any combination of the three penalties.
Graffart looked impassive when his sentence was read out, staring straight ahead at the judge.
Representatives from the French and Belgian embassies were present during the High Court hearing, as well as two of Graffart's former colleagues who briefly spoke to him before he was taken away to serve his sentence.
His Singaporean lawyer Ramesh Tiwary told AFP after the session that Keryan's death is something Graffart "will have to live with for the rest of his life."
Court documents showed Graffart was locked in a bitter custody battle over Keryan with his estranged French wife Gwendoline when he smothered the boy with a cushion after giving him a sedative on October 5, 2015.
After the killing he unsuccessfully tried to commit suicide by crashing his car before giving himself up to police.
The family had moved to Singapore from Luxembourg in September 2013 after Graffart, a financial executive, was transferred by his employer, European firm Nordea Investment Management.
Their marriage broke down early the following year.
At about lunchtime on October 5, 2015, Graffart was told about a development in his custody suit which left him distraught, court documents said.
That evening Graffart put Keryan to bed and prepared two sleeping pills for himself, but gave them to his son instead.
When the boy was asleep, Graffart placed a cushion over his son's head until he stopped moving.
After kissing his son goodbye, Graffart went on a drive and crashed his car on purpose on a highway after unbuckling his seatbelt. But the safety airbags saved his life.
He woke up in a hospital but left it in the small hours of October 6, when he showed up at a police station with injuries from the car crash and confessed to the crime.
