50-year-old Xavier Yap Jung Houn, who strangled his 11-year-old twin sons to death in a case that shook the nation back in 2022, was sentenced on 15 August to 14 years in jail, according to a report by The Straits Times.
This horrifying act was driven by his belief that killing his 11-year-old sons, who had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, would alleviate his wife’s burdens and protect his children from potential suffering in the future.
The Unthinkable Act
Xavier Yap’s tragic story unfolded on January 21, 2022, when he carried out his plan to end his sons’ lives. He took his twin boys, Aston Yap Kai Shern and Ethan Yap E Chern, to a playground near their condominium in Toh Tuck Road. After a brief playtime, Yap led them to a nearby canal.
Yap believed that by ending his sons’ lives, he could relieve his wife of the challenges they faced due to their autism spectrum disorder.
He also feared that his sons would suffer at the hands of others, leading him to believe that their deaths would protect them from future harm.
The Tragic Events
Yap’s disturbing actions unfolded as he used a stick to press hard against Ethan’s neck. When the stick broke, he resorted to strangling him with his forearm, ultimately submerging Ethan’s face in the water of the canal.
Aston, who had been watching his brother’s distress, also fell victim to Yap’s violence. Yap strangled Aston, pressing his forearm against the young boy’s neck until he ceased to move, then submerged his face in the canal as well.
Deep-Seated Struggles
The court revealed that the twins had been formally diagnosed with global developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder in 2017.
Despite recommendations for specialized education, they were enrolled in a mainstream school at the age of nine, struggling with communication barriers.
Yap’s deepening concerns for his sons’ future and his wife’s inability to accept their conditions led to his deteriorating mental state.
Claims wife was cheating on him
Xavier Yap is legally represented by a team comprising Patrick Nai, Choo Si Sen, and Choo Yean Lin, all associated with the law firm Tan Lee & Partners.
During the plea for mitigation, Yap’s legal team advocated for a maximum sentence of five years, asserting that the circumstances surrounding the case are undeniably tragic. They further elaborated on Yap’s situation.
According to his legal representatives, Yap’s defense rests on the assertion that his wife ceased to provide adequate care for their children and even subjected them to mistreatment.
Allegations put forth by Yap’s lawyers included the discovery of physical evidence, such as bruises and marks from a cane, on his sons’ bodies.
Yap’s defense also highlighted his claim of uncovering evidence indicating that his wife had engaged in an extramarital affair since the year 2021. Remarkably, on the very day of the tragic incident, Yap purportedly learned that his wife had “checked into a local hotel with her lover.”
The legal team emphasized that Yap’s intention was to liberate both himself and his sons from what he perceived as overwhelming suffering. The motivation behind his actions was rooted in a desire to be eternally united with his beloved twin sons, thus alleviating them from earthly tribulations.
Yap’s legal representatives underscored that the unfortunate offenses were committed during a period of severe impairment of judgment, primarily due to his ongoing struggle with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
During the trial, Yap’s defense argued that his major depressive disorder, aggravated by his wife’s behavior and infidelity, played a significant role in the tragic events.
However, the prosecution emphasized the seriousness of the crime and its impact on vulnerable victims.
Ultimately, Xavier Yap was sentenced to seven years’ jail for each charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, totaling a 14-year imprisonment.