S'pore couple found dead in KL: Man wanted by M'sia police

A Singaporean couple found dead in a Kuala Lumpur homestay last week had taken their own lives, and Malaysian police have since revealed that the man was wanted for a string of offences, including a recent case involving a 13-year-old girl.

The bodies of the married couple, 43-year-old Xie Jinde and 33-year-old Zhuang Shuyi, were discovered in a unit at a Taman Taynton View homestay in Cheras on May 16.

The homestay staff made the discovery after the pair failed to check out, and a foul smell was detected coming from their room.

According to the Malaysian police, a staff member noticed the front door was still locked at 11am and that the couple's shoes were outside the unit.

After knocking on the door and receiving no response, the employee alerted the homestay manager, who instructed her to open the door with a spare key.

Inside, the living room lights and air-conditioning were still on. The third bedroom was sealed with tape around the door and its window covered with plastic canvas.

When the employee opened the window, she was hit with a foul smell and saw the couple lying unconscious on the bed.

A check of the scene found the air-conditioner wrapped in plastic and a barbecue tray containing burnt charcoal in the room, along with a substance suspected to be ketamine on a plate.

The couple is believed to have died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

According to Cheras district police chief, Assistant Commissioner Aidil Bolhassan, Mr Xie was a wanted man in Malaysia with several criminal investigations linked to him pending in Selangor.

Mr Xie was reported to be investigated for exploitation of prostitution, possession of obscene materials, and dishonest concealment or disposal of property.

He was also being investigated for sexual offences against children.

Malaysian newspaper China Press reported that Mr Xie had allegedly engaged in sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl in an apartment in Selangor on April 30.

The motive behind the couple's suicide remains unclear and investigations are ongoing.

Family members arrived at the hospital morgue in Kuala Lumpur on May 17 to identify the bodies but declined to speak to the media.

The bodies are expected to be repatriated to Singapore for funeral arrangements.

Records show that Mr Xie and Madam Zhuang had registered their marriage on May 24 last year.

When reporters visited the couple's flat in Tampines on May 17, neighbours said a funeral director came by at around 9pm the night before, but no one answered the door.

Neighbours said Mr Xie had a daughter from his first marriage. The family was said to keep a low profile, although the daughter would occasionally have friends over.

An insider told reporters that the couple had been running a business in Malaysia and were often away from home.

Just last month, they rented out one of the rooms in their three-bedroom flat.

Their property agent said the pair had seemed happy and grateful when they secured a tenant - a woman close in age to their daughter.

"They were chatting and laughing. The husband was hugging his wife on the sofa," the agent recalled.

"They told me they'd even change the bedsheets and sofa for the tenant. They were glad someone could keep their daughter company."

He added that he had not collected his $600 commission but would let it go and treat it as a goodwill.