PI Bala is dead, possible heart attack

Former private investigator P. Balasubramaniam, the man who was once in the spotlight in the murder case of a Mongolian model, passed away earlier today.

He was 53.

So far, the cause of his death has yet to be officially confirmed, but it is believed that Balasubramaniam or PI Bala in short, may have passed away as a result of a heart attack.

"Yes, he is dead," a family member confirmed when Astro Awani called PI Bala's mobile number.

PKR lawyer N Surendran, when contacted, added that PI Bala died while on the way to the hospital, from his house in Rawang.

Bala, who was also once a special branch officer, became the centre of controversy in the murder case of Altantuya Shaariibuu -- where he made two contradictory statutory declarations relating to it.

He then fled the country but returned to Malaysia from India last month.

It was reported that Bala suffered chest pains following his ceramah in Kelantan on March 1. He was admitted to a hospital four days later.

Last Tuesday (March 12), a leading local english daily reported that Bala was scheduled to undergo heart surgery for blockage in three arteries.