A giant Ashera cat seized by customs officials at Schiphol airport almost two years ago, has died of unknown causes while still under official investigation, the Telegraaf reports.

The cat, named Shin Chan, had been bought by a couple from Eindhoven for $22,000. The Ashera cat, bred by Lifestyle Pets in the US is a cross between an African Serval cat, an Asian Leopard cat and a domestic feline. It can grow to the size of a small dog.
Onwer Jeffrey Borrenberg told the paper he had never been allowed to know where the cat was and if it was being cared for properly. ‘This is what we were always afraid would happen,’ he said. ‘Don’t tell me this is not an easy way to get rid of a difficult problem.’