KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today awarded RM1.1 million in damages to the mother of the late Dutch model Ivana Esther Robert Smit, after ruling that the police had been negligent in handling the investigation into her daughter's death in 2017.

Here is the timeline of the case:

Dec 17, 2017

Smit was found dead at CapSquare Residence after being at the home of an American couple, Alexander William Johnson and Laura Almazkyzy.

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She had fallen from the 20th floor, and her naked body was discovered on a sixth-floor balcony at 10am.

March 29, 2018

Following the incident, the couple, Alexander William Johnson and Laura Almazkyzy, were charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for drug consumption.

They later left the country after the legal proceedings.

Aug 8, 2018

The inquest into Smit's death officially began at the Coroner's Court in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 22 witnesses were called.

March 8, 2019

Coroner Mahyon Talib ruled Ivana's death a misadventure, stating there was no evidence of foul play or criminal element.

March 11, 2019

Smit's mother, Christina Carolina Gerarda Johanna Verstappen, filed an appeal against the coroner's ruling at the High Court as she believed the finding was inaccurate and failed to reflect the true circumstances of her death.

Nov 22, 2019

The then High Court Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah delivered his ruling when he overturned the coroner's misadventure verdict and replaced it with a finding of "death by a person or persons unknown."

He also directed the Attorney‑General's Chambers to instruct the police to reopen the investigation.

Nov 20, 2020

Verstappen filed her civil lawsuit against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the case's investigating officer, Assistant Superintendent Faizal Abdullah, the Home Minister, and the Malaysian government as defendants.

She claimed the defendants failed to carry out their statutory duties and were negligent in their investigation into the death of her daughter.

July 29, 2025

Verstappen was awarded RM1.1 million in damages after the court ruled there was negligence by the police in handling the investigation into her daughter's death in 2017.

The court also ordered the police to recommence the investigation and to brief the Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) every three months on the progress of the investigation.

The A-GC is to determine the sufficiency of the evidence and the next course of action.