Malaysia asks Interpol again to look for couple in Ivana Smit murder case

Interpol has been asked again to investigate an American couple in connection with the death of Dutch model Ivana Smit in Malaysia. The 18-year-old girl died in 2017 under suspicious circumstances, after she went home with the couple in the capital Kuala Lumpur.

The American man, who is 51, and his wife, who is 37, are suspected of murder. Police in Malaysia have asked Interpol to issue a so-called Blue Notice. This report aims to find the suspects internationally or to gather information about them. Not a request for immediate arrest: Red Notice.

Malaysian police first asked Interpol in 2020 to find the couple, but it is unclear what happened to that request. The relatives have tried to force progress in the case through various methods, the ANP writes.

For example, the lawyer asked the Prime Minister of Malaysia for help last year. As Prime Minister, Rutte is also said to have urged his counterpart in Malaysia to make progress on the matter. The relatives have filed a lawsuit against the local authorities, as they believe that the case was not properly investigated. This case was supposed to be heard today, but it has been postponed until next week.

On December 7, 2017, the Dutch woman was found dead after falling from the twentieth floor of a residential tower. She had stayed in the American couple’s apartment before.

A court ruled that there there was an accident. Nevertheless, signs of possible resistance were found. A British private detective and a Dutch pathologist said Smit was likely dead before she fell from the balcony. They talked about it cover up.

On appeal, the family of the Dutch woman was confirmed and a murder investigation had to be opened. It is not clear if the American couple has ever heard of the case, or where the two live.

In conversation with the British media said the couple that Smit’s death was an accident. They said at the time that they had been in contact with the 18-year-old for some time. They had partied with her for an evening and used drugs and alcohol, the two Americans say. The man and woman said they were asleep when they were awakened by officers, who told them Smit had died.