A man stabbed his girlfriend to death and attempted to kill himself by slashing his throat. However, he survived.

The incident happened on September 3 in Borey Lim Chheang Hak Chamkar Dong in Phnom Penh. Police said they will send the man to court once he recovers.

Dangkor district police chief Chim Sitha said on Sunday it was a case of jealousy. The man, Ek Dievvantha, 47, lives in Chak Angre Krom commune’s Meanchey district. The victim, Vang Malinda, 27, lived in Neak Leung commune’s Peamro district, in Prey Veng.

Police are guarding the suspect for his safety and doctors are treating him, Sitha said.

“We have not sent the suspect to court yet because he is still being treated at the hospital, but we sent his case to the prosecutor,” he said.

An official from Dangkor district who asked to remain anonymous said the incident was witnessed by the victim’s brother Vong Chheanghak, 23, who drove his sister in a tuk-tuk to collect her belongings from a rented house.

She collected them and had a meal with the suspect. They had been together for 10 years.

While eating, the couple argued. Dievvantha stabbed the victim five times in the chest, killing her. He then slashed his throat and neighbours called the police after her brother yelled for help.

Licadho deputy director of monitoring Am Sam Ath said on Sunday that based on his observation over past months, brutal murder cases are on the rise.

He said there have been frequent cases of wives killing husbands, husbands killing wives, children killing parents and lovers killing each other. He called it a considerable concern.

“What we see are issues related to drugs, alcohol, and jealousy. Social morality has significantly declined,” he said.

Media statistics on murders show there were two cases in Kandal and Takeo and four in Phnom Penh in August and September.

Eleven people died and four suspects sustained serious injuries after attempting to kill themselves.