The body of B. Aravind Pillay, the 25-year-old Singaporean student who was stabbed to death in Brussels, Belgium, has been returned to Singapore for a wake.
Held at his family home on Sunday (10 Nov), the wake was attended by numerous friends and family members who gathered to mourn his loss.
Mr Aravind had been in Belgium since November 2023, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering.
Preliminary investigations suggest that two 18-year-old men approached Mr Aravind and, following an argument, stabbed him.
Both assailants have been identified by Brussels police, though the motive behind their approach remains unclear.
Many of Mr Aravind’s former schoolmates from St Andrew’s Secondary School and Nanyang Polytechnic attended the wake on Sunday (10 Nov) to pay their respects.
Source: Facebook
Speaking to Tamil Murasu, several friends shared heartfelt memories of his kindness and warmth.
“This is not the kind of fate someone like him deserves,” said Mohammed Afraaz, a former schoolmate.
He added that just two days before the tragic incident, he had planned to invite Mr Aravind to his upcoming boxing competition.
Others spoke of how approachable and friendly Mr Aravind was, regardless of who he was speaking with.
“He was always ready to help, no matter the situation. Even if you hadn’t seen him in years, he’d treat you like no time had passed,” said his cousin.
Mr Aravind’s aunt recalled how deeply he was connected to his family, always ready to offer assistance.
“He was very close to all of us, always offering his help,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion. “He even spoke with me just before he left for Belgium.”
While grieving the unexpected loss, Mr Aravind’s family has expressed deep gratitude for the love and support shown by his friends and the community.
“The fact that so many have come to see him shows how loving he was,” they said.
His father also extended his heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Belgian authorities for their swift assistance in bringing his son’s body back to Singapore.
On Monday (11 Nov) at 6pm, Mr Aravind’s body was cremated. He is survived by his father, mother, and older sister.
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Featured image adapted from Facebook and Het Nieuwsblad.
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