Musician, 14, died in tragedy on Amsterdam boat journey as dad and mom search solutions over son’s dying | EUROtoday

The grieving dad and mom of a “virtuoso” 14-year-old musician who died whereas on vacation in Amsterdam are in search of solutions over their son’s dying.

Despite his younger age, multi-instrumentalist Raymi Saldaña Rojas had gained a number of prestigious awards and carried out alongside the BBC Symphony Orchestra at Maida Vale studios, whereas changing into the youngest individual ever to play at London’s Jazz Cafe.

But in July 2024, whereas on vacation with associates and their household in Amsterdam, the London-born teenager’s life was lower brief throughout a ship journey, when Raymi – who was unable to swim – ended up within the water.

Raymi’s Parents, Jeanette Rojas and Carlos Saldaña, Told The Independent that they’re nonetheless in search of solutions over the circumstances of his dying on the IJ bay in Amsterdam’s waterfront, at which level they stated “our world was destroyed”.

While a coroner will quickly maintain an inquest, the household are usually not eligible for authorized help illustration through the listening to, and are in search of to crowdfund the cash required to pay for barristers and solicitors, through a CrowdJustice web page.

They have thus far raised near £20,000, largely due to “amazing support” from the Hispanic and Latin American neighborhood in London.

But Raymi’s mom and father – who’re additionally musicians, from Bolivia and Peru respectively, and who performed in a trio with Raymi known as Sagrada Familia – stay a great distance from the £58,000 goal their attorneys advise may very well be required.

MR Saldaña Said: “We are crying a lot. I feel useless. I used to play instruments to support people because it’s my [way] of life … and now I am stuck. I can’t play because [everything reminds] me of my son and it hurts me a lot.

“So I really appreciate if people can help to solve what happened, because we don’t know – we need answers.”

Ms Rojas stated: “Since my son was little, he was always with us – we were together as a family. That was our way to live – with music, with family, with community. So all the community know Raymi. This is why the community is giving back, but still we are far [from the target].”

Describing the affect of her son’s loss, Ms Rojas stated: “One day we were as happy as any other parent, expecting [to see] our child – Raymi was our only son – growing more, achieve all their dreams, to have a family maybe.”

She added: “We are trying to understand – why us, why our son. I could die, but why my son? He deserved to live. As parents, we are grieving so much, but it is about my son – his voice was cut off. No one can explain.

“My son, as – all young children – had his own world, his own dreams, but now from one moment to another everything is gone. Every morning we try to say ‘oh no, this is a nightmare and we’re going to wake up’. But never.

“So we want to tell our story with others, because we don’t want any other families to suffer a similar story. Maybe after we find some justice, if it’s possible, honour my son how he deserves, [how great] he was. And maybe he can inspire other children.

“But for the moment we want to find the truth and this is justice for us to know what happened.”

An obituary in The Guardian by journalist Silvia Rothlisberger, a household pal, described Raymi as “passionate about peace, justice and humanity” and stated he “will be remembered for his kindness and humility”.

Having gone to William Ellis faculty in Gospel Oak, Raymi was supported for 4 years by the London Music Fund and attended Music Education Islington, the place he performed as a part of the flute ensemble.

Aged 9, he gained an award from Young Sounds UK, which noticed him play on the Royal Academy of Music, Leeds Conservatoire, and the BBC’s Maida Vale studios. In 2023, aged 13, he gained an “honourable mention” on the Royal Academy-hosted New Talent competition.

Raymi was additionally an avid reader and poet, and his faculty has arrange an English writing award in his identify, in addition to an award for music at Music Education Islington.

His mom instructed The Independent: “It’s so beautiful to see how they are honouring him, but in the end that’s not filling our empty souls. But what can we do? We have to continue.

“I hope that people can be touched by our story and support us … to ensure that we have a good investigation and go beyond – not just the inquest – to find real justice.”