Controversial Malaysian rapper Namewee has been remanded in custody as police investigate the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh, found in a hotel bathtub in Kuala Lumpur two weeks ago.
Police reported that Namewee, 42, was the last person seen with 31-year-old Hsieh, who had been in Malaysia to discuss a commercial video Namewee was set to direct, according to her social media manager.
Murder Investigation Underway
Authorities have reclassified Hsieh’s death from «sudden death» to murder. Namewee, who previously faced charges of illegal drug use and possession and was granted bail, has turned himself in to assist with the investigation. He has been remanded for six days.
Malaysian media reported that Namewee contacted emergency services on 22 October after finding Hsieh unresponsive in her hotel bathroom. Police discovered nine blue pills believed to be ecstasy in the room, and tests later showed he had used amphetamines, methamphetamine, ketamine, and THC. Namewee has denied the drug charges and accused local media of spreading rumours.
Namewee’s Career and Controversies
Namewee, real name Wee Meng Chee, is known for provocative and satirical music, with 3.6 mln YouTube subscribers and 856,000 Instagram followers. He first gained notoriety in 2007 for a controversial remake of Malaysia’s national anthem and has since faced multiple arrests and bans for his music, which often touches on sensitive political and social topics.
He has collaborated with prominent Mandarin-speaking artists and received several nominations at Taiwan’s Golden Melody Awards. Namewee has also worked in filmmaking, producing and starring in controversial projects.
About Iris Hsieh
Hsieh was less widely known but had a strong online following, nicknamed the «nurse goddess» by fans. She graduated in nursing from the Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology and became an internet personality around 2019. Hsieh was active on Instagram and OnlyFans, sharing lifestyle and modelling content.
Her family, unable to travel to Malaysia due to disabilities, has appointed legal representatives to handle proceedings on their behalf.
Kuala Lumpur police are awaiting post-mortem and toxicology results to establish the cause of death, as the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Hsieh’s passing continues.
