Local authorities said jealousy was the alleged motive for a Ministry of Interior official who killed his wife and then himself on Saturday night in the capital’s Kbal Tumnup village in Meanchey district’s Boeung Tompun II commune.

Commune police chief Khun Leng said on Sunday that Ouk Marady, 40, lived in a rented house in the village and was the deputy chief of hospital staff and a technician at the Bodyguard Department at the ministry. He died from a bullet wound to his head.

Leng said Marady lived with his wife, Keo Sreyda, 52, and his sister Ouk Sophanna, 45. Sreyda was killed by gunshot wounds to her chest and back.

“Officials have already done the autopsy. It is a case of jealousy. When Marady returned from work, Sreyda said he was having an affair and they argued. Sophanna tried to stop them but they didn’t listen,” Leng said.

He said after the incident, police seized a Chinese-made CF92 handgun with a magazine, five bullets and three shells. They are being held by forensic officials at the municipal Scientific-Technical Police Department.

Meanchey district police chief Meng Vimeandara could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

Meanchey district deputy police chief in charge of serious crimes, Nou Touch, said he was aware of the case but had no further details.

Marady’s and Sreyda’s relatives could not be reached for comment.

However, Fresh News reported Sophanna as saying she was cooking in the house when Marady came home. Sreyda arrived later and the couple started arguing.

When Sreyda accused Marady of having an affair, Marady brandished his pistol and threatened his wife. She unsuccessfully tried to diffuse the situation and left the kitchen.

“The couple continued to argue and then Sophanna heard three gunshots. She ran to the kitchen and found Marady lying dead on the floor. Sreyda was also dead and seated in a chair next to Marady’s body.

Leng said Marady’s body was handed over to his family to be buried in his hometown in Chrey commune’s Pov village in Prey Veng province’s Kampong Trabek district.

Sreyda’s body was handed over to her family to be buried at the Sambour Meas pagoda in Dangkor district’s Dangkor commune in Phnom Penh.