Taiwanese Influencer Iris Hsieh Dies in Malaysian Hotel; Rapper Namewee Held for Questioning
Malaysian authorities investigate the sudden death of Iris Hsieh, with rapper Namewee taken into custody as police probe circumstances surrounding her demise.
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6: The Malaysian entertainment world was shaken this week after Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh, 31, was found dead in a hotel room in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian rapper Namewee, 42, has been taken into custody as authorities investigate the circumstances of her death.
Hsieh had traveled to Malaysia to discuss a commercial video project with Namewee when she was discovered unresponsive in her bathtub. Initially reported as a sudden death, the case has now been reclassified as a murder investigation after further inquiries by police. Namewee was reportedly the last person seen with Hsieh.
Police revealed that nine blue pills, believed to be ecstasy, were found in the hotel room. While Namewee tested positive for a mix of illicit substances, he maintains he had not used drugs. The rapper had earlier faced drug related charges, appearing in court where he pleaded not guilty and was released on bail, before being taken back into custody to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, has long courted controversy in Malaysia. He gained national attention in 2007 for a remake of the Malaysian national anthem ‘Negaraku’ and served a four day jail term in 2016 over his music video ‘Oh My God’, which was accused of insulting Islam.
In contrast, Iris Hsieh was a rising social media star known as the “nurse goddess.” She studied nursing at the Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology and built a dedicated online following through fashion and lifestyle content. Hsieh also self-published her album ‘Angel Heart’ in 2019, earning recognition among her fans.
The investigation into Hsieh’s death continues, as Malaysian authorities work to piece together the events leading to the influencer’s untimely demise.
