MALAYSIAN singer Eison Ai Cheng was found dead near a building in Taiwan’s New Taipei City this morning (Aug 17) in an apparent suicide.
Citing the Luzhou Precinct of the New Taipei City Police Department, Taiwan News said the 40 year-old Sarawak-born entertainer fell from the Luzhou MRT Station building at about 10am.
Ai whose birth name is Cai Ai Cheng died on the spot. Born on on May 13, 1982, he rose to fame after winning first place in the second season of the Taiwanese TV talent show Super Idol.
In 2004, he released his solo album “Mr. I” before releasing his personal EP (extended play or mini album) entitled “Ai Cheng’s Whimsical World” in 2010. Ai is well known for his roles in the Taiwanese TV dramas “Rookie’s Diary”, “I, My Brother”, “Daddy” and “Fengshui Family”.
Married to Taiwanese actress and TV show host Hitomi Wang in 2020, Ai’s restaurant business was reported to have incurred a loss of NT$5 mil (RM745,063) in recent times. He had also recently contracted COVID-19 but recovered and returned to work.
Ai had also mentioned that due to stress, his blood pressure had risen to 180/120 mm Hg (millimetres of mercury). He attempted to drink beer to relax but only for his symptoms to worsen, according to Taiwan News.
“The last photo of Ai with his wife shown on his Facebook (FB) page was uploaded on Aug 6 when both could be seen smiling as they attended a dance performance. However, beginning Aug 10, Ai only uploaded photos of himself with a blank expression,” wrote the news portal.
“On his last FB post uploaded on Monday (Aug 15), Ai posted a selfie with a melancholy expression and wrote, ‘Love is the hardest lesson in the world but is also the easiest lesson. Love her and you will have eternity!’”
Phoenix Talent Company who is responsible for managing the star’s affairs has confirmed the incident to Taiwanese media outlet ETToday.
“We are deeply shocked and regretful to hear the news. Eison Ai Cheng is like a family member to us and everyone’s unable to accept the fact (of his passing),” said the talent company in a statement.
“We are currently making efforts to handle his funeral arrangements and request everyone to give his wife Hitomi Wang space and time.”
Police are currently investigating the incident. – Aug 17, 2022
Main photo credit: entlife.8world.com
