Murdered Estonian model had links to Malaysia royal family; boyfriend breaks silence

Two men have been remanded by the Kota Tinggi court in connection with the death of Estonian model Regina Soosalu on Pulau Rawa off Mersing on July 1. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Two men have been remanded by the Kota Tinggi court in connection with the death of Estonian model Regina Soosalu on Pulau Rawa off Mersing on July 1. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Regina Soosalu and boyfriend Tengku Alang Reza posing together in this photo found on her Facebook page. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Regina Soosalu and boyfriend Tengku Alang Reza posing together in this photo found on her Facebook page. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

JOHOR BARU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - An Estonian model known to have links to a member of a royal family has been found murdered in Pulau Rawa, raising many questions.

Freelance model Regina Soosalu was initially thought to have drowned when her body was discovered on a stretch of beach along the island on July 1, the day she arrived on the island.

However, the police are now investigating the death as murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code after discovering "suspicious" wounds on her body.

Johor CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Hasnan Hassan said six suspects had been detained to assist with investigations so far.

"All six were on the island on the day of the incident but I cannot reveal any more information as we are in the midst of our investigations," he said.

A source close to Soosalu and her boyfriend said he had been told the model was last seen by hotel workers leaving her room for a walk near the jetty. He said she never returned after that.

The boyfriend, Tengku Alang Reza Ibrahim, had been silent on the death on his Facebook account until Tuesday. The source said he had been too distraught to talk about it.

Tengku Alang Reza described the incident as "the worst tragedy of his life".

"Regina my love has passed away on July 1, in the holy month of Ramadan. She is my love, my best friend and will continue to be my inspiration for the rest of my life," Tengku Alang Reza said on Facebook.

"Her heart was filled with greatness, love, compassion for all beings and life itself."

In saying his final goodbye, Tengku Alang Reza said "words cannot express the emptiness and heartache I feel. Farewell for now, never goodbye. Till we meet again I love you My baby, you'll always be in my heart X."

Asked if the boyfriend had been called in as well, SAC Hasnan said the police had yet to bring him in.

"We have informed Interpol about the incident and we have left it to them to contact her family.

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