A woman and her two young children were found dead at their home in Pursat province yesterday after a suspected murder-suicide, according to police.
Un Yuth, O’Som commune police chief, said the bodies of 30-year-old Try Chherk and her two children, Phern Chakrya, 4, and Phern Phanna, 2, were found hanged yesterday morning by Chherk’s mother and husband.
Yuth said police were treat-ing the case as an “intentional murder and suicide” driven by demands from Chherk’s husband, 31-year-old Noeun Phern, for a divorce.
“According to Phern’s testimony, his wife used to warn him that she would take her own life and she would not let someone have her children if he wants to get a divorce to live with another woman,” he said.
But Theang Leng, Veal Veng district police chief, said Phern was also being questioned about his possible involvement.
“He has been arrested for further interrogation,” he said.
A traditional funeral is planned for the mother and children, who are members of the Chong ethnic minority.