'There's no moving on': 8 months on, parents of teen who died in Maldives still searching for answers

SINGAPORE: Eight months after their daughter’s death on a school trip to the Maldives, the parents of 15-year-old Jenna Chan say they are still waiting for answers. Jenna, a student at St Joseph’s Institution International (SJII), died during a National Youth Achievement Award expedition on Nov 8. According to Maldivian news outlet the Edition, she was fatally struck by the propeller of a reversing boat while snorkelling near Dhigurah Island in the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll. Her parents said they have heard little from either the Maldivian authorities or SJII. The school, however, maintained that it has made extensive efforts to piece together a full account of what happened. In a response to CNA on Wednesday (Jul 16), SJII CEO Michael Johnston said the school has not received any information or documents from the Maldivian authorities on their investigation, despite repeated requests. He added that the school also has no access to evidence from the Maldivian boat crew or staff from the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), the external vendor that conducted the trip. “Until the MWSRP allows the school access, or the Maldives Police Service releases its report on the incident, the school does not have the complete picture of what happened,” he said. Dr Johnston said SJII has reached out to Jenna’s family on multiple occasions but has also been “deeply mindful of their immense loss” and aimed to be respectful and sensitive in all interactions. “I can assure you that we have been unrelenting in our efforts to piece together a full account of what has happened,” he added. Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) said on Tuesday it would not be investigating SJII’s handling of the incident, citing adherence to the school’s overseas trip safety protocols. MOE also noted that SJII, as a privately funded school, operates independently of the mainstream education system.

AGONISING SEARCH FOR ANSWERS

Jenna’s parents told CNA that they still have no official explanation for how she died or who may be responsible. Feeling they had no choice, they began their own investigation. Jenna’s mother, Dr Jennifer Liauw, said some of the school’s efforts to reach out focused more on remembrance than answers. “They’re talking about a memorial book, but I need an (investigation) report. I don’t care for all these platitudes, I need to know what happened to my child,” said Dr Liauw, 54. The family launched a website, Justice for Jenna, which includes a video outlining what they believe occurred and a list of questions they say remain unanswered. In April, Jenna’s father, Mr Alan Chan, travelled to the Maldives to seek answers. There, the 59-year-old obtained several CT scans detailing Jenna’s injuries but said he received no substantial updates from the police on how the investigation was progressing. In May, officers from the Maldives Police Service flew to Singapore to interview four students and a teacher who had been on the trip. Dr Johnston confirmed that SJII facilitated the interviews. “As the incident occurred in the Maldives, the powers of investigation rest in the hands of the Maldivian authorities, and the Maldives Police Service is still conducting its investigations,” said Dr Johnston. Mr Chan has also contacted Singapore agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), but said this had not helped his push for information. In response to CNA’s queries to several government agencies including MFA and the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the Ministry of Education said the Singapore government has been in contact with the family since the incident and is providing support where possible, “within the ambit of our laws and regulations”. A ministry spokesperson reiterated that Singapore authorities do not have legal jurisdiction to investigate incidents that happen overseas. “Nonetheless, the SPF has been rendering assistance to the Maldivian authorities who have primary…