THE naked body of a 27-year-old woman, who is believed to have been raped and then murdered, was found yesterday beside the main highway between Phnom Penh and Kampot.

The woman, identified as Keo Sokunthy, was found beside National Highway 3 in Moha Russei commune, in Kampong Speu province’s Kong Pisey district. Her hands and legs were bound and her throat had been cut.    

The 27-year-old, from Moha Russei commune, went missing on Sunday night after leaving her house to find her husband, who had gone to a neighbour’s house-warming party, said commune chief Long Nget.

“Local authorities are saying the woman was raped and killed, and that they have identified the killer,” he said.

Khme Sophanara, Kong Pisey district police chief, said yesterday that according to preliminary evidence “the killing was an act of revenge because the offender cut the victim many times”.  

He added that district and provincial police were cooperating in order to track down and arrest the suspect, who has not been named.