A staff member of microfinance institution Sathapana Ltd in Svay Rieng was found dead early yesterday morning on a football pitch near his home, with a wire around his neck and numerous axe wounds to his head, police said.

According to the victim’s father-in-law, Ku Sarom, who found the body at 6am, the victim told his wife he was going out drinking with friends on Saturday night.

An hour later, the wife called and the victim picked up, but when she tried again at 3am, the phone had been shut off.

Sarom said when he discovered the body, he saw a wound he believed to have been from electrocution, evidence of strangulation and 11 axe cuts to his head. A mobile phone and a diamond ring worth $1,000 were both allegedly stolen.

“I do not know if my son-in-law was killed because of spite or what, because his fellow staff members said he was a likeable person,” Sarom said.

Svay Rieng town deputy police chief Prak Chut said police were searching for suspects but could not divulge further information.