A rejected suitor tried to kill himself after murdering his love interest at a public market in Kampong Speu province yesterday.

According to Khem Samun, Odong district police chief, suspect Sem Poch, 32, allegedly stabbed 24-year-old Nerm Chanthou to death at her tailor shop in the Odong market because she did not return his affections.

Poch was sent to Calmette Hospital in Phnom Penh after stabbing himself repeatedly in the stomach until he fell unconscious.

“The suspect did not die. My forces sent him to Calmette Hospital and they are guarding him now,” Samun said. “The victim’s family told me that the suspect was angry with the victim, who did not love him.”

Samun said that authorities arrived at the site and examined the victim, who had been stabbed seven times.

Net Chheom Norn, the victim’s father, yesterday confirmed Samun’s account that Sem killed his daughter because of unrequited love. Norn said he heard the suspect already had a wife and two children, but still tried to persuade his daughter to be with him.

“My daughter told me about the suspect and I told her that this man is not a good man and my daughter listened to me,” he continued.

Norn said his daughter was planning a trip to visit relatives in France when she was killed.