Four arrests have been made in relation to the murder and robbery of a 53-year-old woman in Koh Kong province’s Khemarak Phumin town on Thursday, with the son and daughter of the victim counted among the suspects, police said yesterday.

The body of victim, Meng Sai, was found inside her house by neighbours on Thursday, said Khemarak Phumin town penal police officer Meas Sokly.

“The offenders hacked her with an axe on her head and left her to die immediately in a pool of blood on the floor inside her house,” Sokly said.

“After killing the victim, the suspects collected her property, more than 10 damlung of gold and cash, before escaping the place.”

The gold, the equivalent of more than 375 grams, is worth more than $14,000.

Police yesterday arrested Sai’s daughter Nay Sim, her son Nay Sotheng, Sim’s boyfriend Kosal Engviwath and neighbour Chea Mom, said Koh Kong provincial police deputy chief Lieutenant Colonel Khim Sarne.

“They killed the victim and stole her property,” Sarne said.

“They were preliminarily accused by police with intentional murder,” he added.

They have now been sent to provincial court for questioning.”

He added that according to the Penal Code, if found guilty, the victims will be punished with imprisonment from 15 to 20 years each.