An enraged mob beat to death a 40-year-old man on Wednesday in Kampong Speu province because they believed his alleged practice of black magic caused illnesses, police said.

The mob followed Kong Terk to his home in Kong Pisei district where they attacked him with tree branches and a metal stick, district police chief Khem Sophanara said.

“We haven’t arrested any suspects yet, and the investigation is ongoing,” said Sophanara. “We don’t have any evidence to prove the man is a sorcerer, but the neighbourhood alleged one member of his family was also killed in 2000 involving a similar allegation.” Sophanara said angry villagers dragged Terk’s body 300 metres from the village and threw him in a rice field.