Death of Taiwanese influencer reclassified as murder; Malaysian rapper Namewee denies involvement

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Police have reclassified the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh Yu-hsin as murder following new findings in their investigation. Malaysian rapper Namewee (Wee Meng Chee), who was with her before her death, has denied all involvement and allegations of drug use.

Case upgraded to murder after review

Kuala Lumpur police chief Commissioner Datuk Fadil Marsus confirmed that the case, previously classified as a sudden death, was reclassified under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

“The case was originally classified as sudden death, but after reviewing the findings, we have reclassified it as murder,” Fadil said on Tuesday (4 November), without disclosing further details.

Hsieh’s body was discovered on 22 October inside a hotel bathtub in Kuala Lumpur. Police said there were no visible signs of struggle, and the tub was dry.

The 30-year-old influencer, also known as “Nurse Goddess,” was reportedly in Malaysia for a work collaboration with Namewee.

Namewee denies wrongdoing

On 2 November, Namewee posted a statement on Instagram denying allegations that he had used drugs or was involved in Hsieh’s death.

“I haven’t used drugs, nor have I been carrying any. At most, I’ve just been drinking more lately. Believe it or not, the truth will come out when the police report is released in two or three months,” he wrote in Mandarin.

The 42-year-old rapper added that he and others connected to the case had recently been targeted by blackmailers, saying they were “ready to fight to the end.”

Investigations ongoing

Police have not revealed if any new suspects have been identified.

Hsieh’s cause of death remains under investigation, though earlier reports suggested she may have suffered a heart attack.