A 31-Year-Old Influencer was Found Dead in a Hotel Bathtub. Police Now Believe She Was Murdered

An investigation is underway after a 31-year-old Taiwanese influencer was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Malaysia, according to local media reports.

Hsieh Yu-hsin, better known as Iris Hsieh — who has 546,000 followers on Instagram — was discovered deceased around 1:40 p.m. local time on Oct. 22, according to Malaysian paper The Star. 

The hotel was located on Jalan Conlay, a street in Kuala Lumpur, local outlet the New Straits Times reported.

After initially being classified as a sudden death report, the investigation is now being classed as a murder case, the outlet stated, citing local police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus.

Malaysian rapper Namewee, 42, real name Wee Meng Chee, was reportedly the last person seen with Hsieh, The Star noted. The New Straits Times claimed he’d been in the same room as the victim at the time of the incident.

It had previously been reported that the musician had been charged with illegal drug use and possession, according to multiple local media outlets and the BBC. 

Local officer Datuk Fadil Marsus said of Namewee, “He was later arrested for alleged possession and use of drugs but was released after pleading not guilty to drug-related charges at the Jalan Duta Court on Oct 24,” while discussing the case on Tuesday, Nov. 4, per The Star.

Namewee — who is known for his songs and music videos about taboo topics in Malaysia — had been arrested on Oct. 22, after officers reportedly found pills believed to be ecstasy, the BBC reported. 

Officer Fadil said the rapper had tested positive for illicit substances — including amphetamines, methamphetamine, ketamine, and THC — and he was remanded for two days before his release, per the outlet.

However, Namewee has since denied taking drugs in a translated statement shared on Instagram, insisting “at most I’ve been drinking more recently.”

He said in the post that he felt “deeply” sorry about Hsieh’s death and claimed the ambulance “was nearly an hour late,” adding that “the truth will come out” when the police report is released, which “should still take two or three months.”

Officer Fadil noted that police had recorded statements from hotel staff and security, and were reviewing CCTV footage in an attempt to trace Hsieh’s movements before her death, The Star stated.

“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 to determine whether he is a suspect,” Fadil said of the case, according to the paper.

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“The team has taken statements from hotel staff, security guards, and transport operators, including airport personnel,” the officer said, per the New Straits Times.

“It’s a comprehensive investigation examining every movement of both the victim and the person last seen with her,” he continued, the outlet reported.

The Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. PEOPLE has also attempted to contact Namewee.