• Malaysian rapper Namewee's custody extended as police investigate the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh.
• Iris Hsieh was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Kuala Lumpur amid allegations of drug use.
• Namewee has denied any wrongdoing and is cooperating with the investigation.
• Police reclassified Hsieh’s death from sudden to murder shortly after Namewee's involvement was noted.
• Authorities are awaiting toxicology and autopsy results, which may take up to three months.

Malaysian rapper Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, will remain in custody following a court extension of his remand amid the ongoing murder investigation into the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh, also known as Hsieh Yu-hsin. Hsieh was discovered unresponsive in a bathtub at a high-end hotel in Kuala Lumpur on October 22, shortly after arriving for a collaborative video project with Namewee. Initially, the case was classified as a sudden death, but it was later reclassified as a murder investigation, prompting police to label Namewee a "person of interest" in the case, according to SCMP, Channel News Asia, and CBS News.

The court's decision to extend Namewee's custody follows the full admissions of his lawyer, Joshua Tay, who stated that authorities cited incomplete investigations as the reason for the remand's continuation until November 13. Reports indicate that toxicology and post-mortem examinations are ongoing and could take several months to finalize. Namewee reportedly tested positive for multiple controlled substances, although he denies any wrongdoing, asserting his intention to cooperate fully with the police, as noted by SCMP and Channel News Asia.

Further complicating the case, Hsieh’s family has expressed concerns about the investigation's progress and has yet to travel to Malaysia for further follow-up. The influencer, known for her online content, had amassed substantial followers across social media platforms. The investigation has garnered significant media attention, particularly after a former nurse tragically lost her life during what was supposed to be a professional collaboration, highlighting the intersection of social media influence and personal safety, according to Channel News Asia and CBS News.

As the investigation develops, further legal proceedings are anticipated, and Namewee’s previous encounters with law enforcement, including earlier drug-related charges, have drawn public scrutiny. The rapper has a complicated history with the authorities and has often been embroiled in controversies related to his provocative art and lyrics. His current situation, compounded by the death of Hsieh, raises critical questions about the dynamics of celebrity and accountability, noted by SCMP, Channel News Asia, and CBS News.