A Kampong Chhnang man was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly murdering his wife, marking the third domestic murder in almost as many days this week.
Kong Vuthy, chief of Peam Chhkork commune police, said Horn Nary, 20, went missing on Monday and was found dead about 400 metres from her home. Her throat was slit, allegedly with a kitchen knife.
Her husband, Chi Khem Dima, 20, was sent to the court yesterday. They were married in May last year and have a 6-month-old baby.
“We put the suspicion on the husband based on three things,” Vuthy said. “First, the girl never went away with anyone who she did not know well. Secondly, the place of the crime was not common – only her close relations went there. Thirdly, the husband did not actively participate in her funeral.”
Vuthy added the murder may have been motivated by jealousy or money problems. Peam Chhkork Commune Chief Ke Meth said he was unaware of any domestic violence issues as the couple had never sought out his help at the commune hall.
“But two days before the incident happened, I overhead villagers say the husband ran to his home in the neighbouring commune. He was angry with his wife for not following him to live in his family home,” Meth said.
According to the National Police website, another domestic murder occurred on Tuesday in Koh Kong province. Seng Vibol, 50, is suspected of murdering his wife Han Thoeun, 50, by shooting her twice in the chest with an AK-47. Police said she died instantly in their home and the suspected motivation for the killing was “jealousy”. Police have begun a manhunt for Vibol, who fled the scene.
Another tragic death took place on February 10 in Preah Sihanouk.
Kampong Seila Commune Police Chief Heng Touch said the suspect, Chea Nov, 52, stood accused of killing his wife, Sak Srey, 53, with a machete as they warmed themselves in front a fire on a cold morning. Touch said Nov appeared to have some kind of mental illness.
“He took her body to put it on the bed. He did not run and we arrested him,” Touch said.
The recent spate of domestic murders was “disappointing”, according to Gender and Development for Cambodia executive director Ros Sopheap. She urged the relevant authorities to mete out appropriate punishments for the crimes, and called on Cambodian men to value “the power of respect” over control in their relationships.
Additional reporting by Erin Handley
