Rapper Was Last Person to See Influencer Before She Was Found Dead in Bathtub. Now He’s Been Detained By Police
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A Malaysian rapper has been detained by police as part of a homicide investigation into the death of a Taiwanese influencer
Namewee, 42, turned himself into authorities to “assist in the investigation,” police said, per BBC
He was the last person seen with 31-year-old influencer Iris Hsieh, who was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Malaysia on Oct. 22
A Malaysian rapper has been detained by police as part of a homicide investigation into the death of a Taiwanese influencer.
Namewee, 42, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, turned himself into police on Wednesday, Nov. 5, and has been put in remand for six days, his lawyer, Joshua Tay, said, per the Associated Press, BBC and The Guardian. Police said he is in custody to “assist in the investigation,” BBC reported.
The rapper was the last person seen with 31-year-old influencer Hsieh Yu-hsin, better known as Iris Hsieh, before she was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Malaysia around 1:40 p.m. on Oct. 22, Malaysian paper The Star previously reported.
According to local outlet the New Straits Times, a police chief later confirmed the death is being investigated as a murder case.
It’s unclear how exactly Hsieh — who had about 550,000 followers on Instagram and an OnlyFans account — died. Police said, per BBC, that they are awaiting post-mortem and toxicology results.
Namewee called emergency services that day and was subsequently arrested after officers allegedly found pills believed to be ecstasy, per the outlet.
Police said the rapper was released after pleading not guilty to drug-related charges at the Jalan Duta Court on Oct 24, The Star reported.
Iris Hsieh/Instagram
Iris Hsieh
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In a translated Instagram post, Namewee denied any drug use and said he felt “deeply” sorry about Hsieh’s death.
He claimed the ambulance “was nearly an hour late,” adding that “the truth will come out” when the police report is released, which “should still take two or three months.”
Per the New Straits Times, police previously said, “the team has taken statements from hotel staff, security guards, and transport operators, including airport personnel,” amid the investigation. However, they have not deemed Namewee a suspect, the outlet reported.
The musician’s lawyer said he hopes “that the investigation will be carried out thoroughly and with the utmost objectivity and fairness,” the AP reported.
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