Kuala Lumpur — Malaysian legal authorities announced Tuesday the release of Mandopop singer-rapper Namewee (Wee Meng Chee) on police bail, concluding an initial detention period prompted by the sudden death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh. The decision follows the finding of insufficient evidence linking the 42-year-old artist directly to Hsieh’s demise, which occurred in a luxury Kuala Lumpur hotel room last month. Despite the release, representatives for the deceased’s family maintain that the broader investigation into the circumstances of the 31-year-old’s death remains active.
The high-profile case began when Hsieh was discovered deceased in a bathtub at a five-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur on October 22. Initially classified as a sudden death (SDR), the Malaysian police upgraded the probe to a murder investigation on November 4, following an autopsy and the alleged discovery of drugs at the scene. Namewee, who was reportedly working on a video project with Hsieh and allegedly engaged in sexual activity with her prior to her death, surrendered to police the following day, vehemently denying any involvement in the fatality.
Family Expresses Dissatisfaction with Outcome
The decision to release Namewee has drawn criticism from those close to Hsieh. Vivian Hsieh, a close friend of the deceased influencer, voiced her dismay on social media after the announcement.
“There’s no murder, but shouldn’t it at least be considered manslaughter?” she questioned in an Instagram story. While acknowledging respect for the Malaysian police and judicial process, she stressed her shock at the outcome and urged Namewee, whom she believes was present during the incident, to offer a comprehensive and honest account of the events.
Echoing this sentiment, Chen Jun Da, the lawyer representing Iris Hsieh’s family, clarified that Namewee’s release on bail, while legally required given the current evidence review, does not signify the closure of the case. The legal team stressed that the ongoing investigation will continue to seek clarity regarding the incident.
Next Steps in the Investigation
Malaysian Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar confirmed late Monday that prosecutors had reviewed the evidence gathered thus far. Based on the preliminary findings, “there is currently no evidence linking Namewee to Iris’s death,” prompting the decision to grant police bail.
The investigation now pivots to other potential avenues of inquiry to determine the exact cause and circumstances leading to Hsieh’s fatality. Key investigative areas likely include:
- Toxicology Reports: Comprehensive analysis of substances found in Hsieh’s system and at the scene.
- Corroboration of Timeline: Scrutinizing the accounts of all individuals present or involved in the hours leading up to the discovery of Hsieh’s body.
- Digital Forensics: Reviewing communications between the deceased and involved parties.
While the high-profile performer avoids continued detention, the legal and public scrutiny surrounding the incident is far from over. Transparency and thoroughness from the Malaysian authorities will be critical as they work to provide definitive answers to Hsieh’s family and address public curiosity in this complex international case involving two prominent figures in Asian entertainment. The investigation remains open pending further evidence development.