Boy's disappearance: A kiss that remains a fond but tragic memory
Maxim (left) and his siblings, Artem and Alessia.
A kiss that her foster son planted on her cheek the last time she saw him will always remain a fond but tragic memory for Valletta resident Grace Pace.
In an interview with The Times, the distraught mother has recounted how the kiss, which 16-year-old Maxim Vorboyev gave her on February 25 before she left for work, will remain ingrained in her mind until she dies.
Maxim, who had been fostered by Mrs Pace and her husband, Albert, disappeared that evening. A frantic search around the island was futile and the teenager’s body was recovered from the sea last Sunday.
The Russian orphan had been reunited with his two siblings in Malta after spending years apart living in different orphanages. His sister Alessia and brother Artem were fostered by Mrs Pace’s sister, Carmen Spiteri, and lived in the same block of flats in St Ursula Street.
Mrs Pace said for her and her husband Maxim was a son, and not solely a boy they hosted. She describes him as a happy boy with a good heart who used to help everyone.
See the full story on The Times.
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Anthony Miggiani
Mar 13th 2009, 16:51
Since my sincere remarks to investigate further this tragedy has been grossly misunderstood, let me assure everyone that my sympathy and support for the family is just as great as yours, if not more. May the family find comfort in everyones' support. End of story.
Shirley Sammut
Mar 13th 2009, 15:59
@A. Miggiani: Have some respect for the family - it is not up to you, or anyone else not involved, to ask those questions, especially here. It is not putting blinkers on what happened, it is just giving his loved ones time & space to mourn.
My sincerest sympathies go out to all the family - my prayers are with you at this sad time. May God hold you all close & give you His comfort
Daniel Russell
Mar 13th 2009, 10:38
@ A Miggiani
Your comments are well out of line. As G Schembri correctly says do not make the situation more difficult for the family concerned. It was a tragic accident end of story.
Judy Vassallo
Mar 13th 2009, 02:35
That poor family losing such a precious member.My heart goes out to the family.
Anthony Miggiani
Mar 13th 2009, 00:39
L. Galea
Since when properly investigating how a young man's life ended so tragically is "continuing a saga"? At least I don't go through life with blinkers on, dear L. Vella.
G.Schembri
Mar 12th 2009, 21:24
Anthony Miggiani - Were you ever 16 years old, did you live in a sea side town or village? If your answer to both questions is yes, you would understand how a 16 year old boy out on an errand ends up near the sea side. If I'm not mistaken that day was quite windy, if the sea was rough you would also understand how the youth ended up ion the sea. Unless he was a very food swimmer it would have been impossible to get out of the water in such weather conditions. Let me remind you that a few years back a group of dancers lost their lives while out on the rocky beach. Do not make this situation any mor difficult to the family concerened.
L..Galea
Mar 12th 2009, 17:41
Anthony Miggiani
Boys will always be boys anthony.
Why continue the saga by instilling doubts in readers minds?
Anthony Miggiani
Mar 12th 2009, 16:53
That's it? Just a tragic accident? How studious was the autopsy? Blood alcohol or drugs, maybe administered forcibly? Was foul play ever considered a possibility to get at the truth?- because this begs the question:
How does a young boy on an errand down the street to his uncle's business end up at the bottom of ix-xatt? How far is ix-xatt from his home? How did he get there?
Bill Millam
Mar 12th 2009, 13:57
What a tragic story, my heart goes out to this grief-stricken family.
They will be in our prayers tonight.
Bill Millam
Los Angeles
Daniel Russell
Mar 12th 2009, 13:10
That poor little lad. The thoughts and condolences of my family and I go out to Ms Pace and family. May God be with you at this sad time.