Police in Por Sen Chey and Dangkor districts have arrested seven suspects wanted in connection with the gruesome murder of a schoolgirl who was killed for her motorbike on Tuesday.

Por Sen Chey district police chief Yim Saran, identified the suspects as Chum Virak, 22, the alleged murderer and a cousin of the victim; Sok Sopheap, 17; Leng Dany, 17; Kroeu Chanthu, 18; Lem Panhavoan, 20; Hong Sochota, 21; and Sok Sophea, 22. The victim was Vin Rotha, 19, a student from Dangkor district.

According to Saran, Virak admitting to carrying out the murder in order to steal his cousin’s motorbike and mobile phone. Authorities are testing the suspects for drugs.

Saran said authorities fingered Virak after Rotha’s classmates told them he had called her during class and persuaded her to go out drinking. Upon his arrest, Virak reportedly gave up his accomplices.

A phone belonging to the victim’s parents was answered yesterday by their commune chief, who said the two were too distraught to comment. He went on to note that the victim’s “face was severely beaten”.