On October 30, Iris Hsieh was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Malaysia during a video shoot. The 31-year-old, known for her sensual image and large online following of over 530,000 fans, passed away under suspicious circumstances, prompting a swift police investigation.
On November 2, the case took a startling turn when Namewee a well-known rapper, actor and filmmaker was arrested at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur. He was reportedly attempting to leave when authorities apprehended him. He was found in possession of nine blue pills suspected to be narcotics. At the time of arrest, Namewee was wearing a white T-shirt, cap, and glasses, according to Guang Ming Daily.
In a police statement, Namewee admitted he had been staying in the same hotel room with Iris Hsieh to film a video. He claimed the model went into the bathroom and never came out. When he went to check on her, he found her unconscious in the bathtub and attempted CPR, but it was too late.
Authorities discovered drugs and sexual stimulants at the scene. Namewee was taken in for urine testing, which reportedly returned positive for four substances: amphetamine, methamphetamine, ketamine, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), according to Deputy Police Chief Sazari of Jinma District. However, the exact cause of Iris Hsieh’s death is pending forensic examination, and investigations remain ongoing.
Despite the allegations, Namewee has publicly denied all accusations of drug use and involvement in the model’s death. He stated, “I don’t use or possess drugs. At most, I’ve been drinking more often lately. Whether you believe me or not, the truth will come out when the police report is released, likely in two or three months.”
His legal team emphasized that the case is still under judicial investigation and urged the public to await the final police report. They also expressed condolences, stating that they are deeply saddened by Iris Hsieh’s passing and public attention surrounding it.
Notably, just days before this incident, Namewee had already been charged on October 24 with drug possession and use, with court proceedings scheduled to begin on December 8.
Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, was born in Malaysia in 1983. Known for his satirical and controversial artistic style, he is not new to public scrutiny. He previously stirred backlash for a song deemed offensive by K-pop fans, particularly fans of BLACKPINK.
Iris Hsieh was originally a nurse before transitioning into a modeling and content creation career. Due to her background, she earned the nickname “nurse goddess” in Taiwanese media. Her tragic and sudden death has left fans and the entertainment world in mourning, as investigations continue into one of the most talked-about cases of the year.
Sources: K14