KUALA LUMPUR: Police are on the hunt for local rapper Wee Meng Chee, better known as Namewee, in connection with the death of Taiwanese influencer Hsieh Yun-hsin.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus said the 42-year-old is believed to have gone missing after the case was reclassified as murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
“We believe Namewee is aware of the ongoing probe, which has been reported through both official media and social media.
“So far, we have not been able to locate him, and we believe he has gone into hiding,” he said when contacted yesterday.
It was reported that police are expected to detain Namewee to assist the investigation as he was the last person seen with Hsieh prior to her death.
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Investigations revealed that Namewee was with the 31-year-old victim in a room at a hotel at about 1.40pm on Oct 22.
He was later arrested for alleged possession and use of drugs but was released after pleading not guilty to the drug-related charges at the Jalan Duta Court on Oct 24.
Comm Fadil had told a press conference that the case, initially classified as sudden death, has since been reclassified as murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code following the discovery of suspicious elements.
“Investigations are ongoing from all angles, including individuals who were last with the victim.
“We will review all movements of both the victim and the suspect.
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“We expect to arrest the suspect soon to assist with the investigation,” he said.
Comm Fadil said police have recorded statements from hotel staff and security personnel, adding that they are also reviewing CCTV footage tracing the victim’s movements from the airport to the hotel.
He said the victim arrived in Malaysia on Oct 20 and was scheduled to stay until Oct 24.
“The post-mortem and toxicology reports are still pending, and the cause of death remains under investigation.
“It is too early to reveal the cause of death. The post-mortem and toxicology reports will give us clearer findings later,” he said.
Comm Fadil urged the public with any information to contact the police.
Hsieh was found lying in a bathtub at 1.40pm on Oct 22. Her body was sent to Hospital Kuala Lumpur for post-mortem.
Namewee has since denied using drugs and any involvement in Hsieh’s death, saying the truth will emerge when police reports are released in the coming months.
