Former Actor Lee Wei Named Suspect in High-Profile Taipei Murder Case

In a shocking turn of events, Taiwanese ex-actor and singer Lee Wei, along with his wife, surnamed Chien, has been named suspects in the murder investigation of a woman found dead in Taipei. The victim, identified as Ms. Tsai, was discovered at a property on Siwei Road in July 2024. An autopsy revealed that she had died from rhabdomyolysis, a condition where muscle tissue breaks down, releasing toxic compounds into the bloodstream. The case has drawn significant public attention due to Lee Wei's past celebrity status and the mysterious circumstances surrounding Ms. Tsai's death.

Prosecutors had initially questioned Lee Wei as a witness on four separate occasions and his wife twice, before reclassifying them as suspects. Lee Wei, who rose to fame in 2000 as part of the pop duo Wewe and through his roles in idol dramas, had left the entertainment industry during the Covid-19 pandemic to focus on his Buddhist practices, predominantly working in China thereafter. This unexpected development casts a shadow over his spiritual pursuits.

The investigation has uncovered alarming details. Closed-circuit television footage allegedly captures Lee Wei, along with individuals identified as Wu and Chiang, accompanying Ms. Tsai to a restaurant for a religious study session on July 24. Later, the footage purportedly shows Lee Wei, Wu, and Chiang transporting Ms. Tsai's lifeless body back to the Siwei Road apartment using a trolley and abandoning it there without notifying authorities.

The Taipei District Prosecutor's Office has extended its scrutiny to several other individuals associated with the religious group Ms. Tsai was involved with. Among the 11 additional suspects is the group's spiritual leader, surnamed Wang. Authorities have detained several suspects, including Wang, since January.

Investigations revealed that Ms. Tsai served as the accountant for the religious group and following her death, her bank accounts were suspiciously emptied of over NT$2 million. The police discovered her body at the property where the Buddhist group frequently convened for meetings.

Lee Wei has been released on bail set at NT$300,000 (S$12,000), while Chien's bail was set at NT$150,000. As the investigation progresses, many questions remain unanswered, leaving the public eagerly anticipating further revelations.