A 38-year-old former convict was arrested on Saturday for the murder of his former girlfriend at O’Yes Guesthouse in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district, police said on Sunday.
Ban Sopheak was arrested over the strangulation of 22-year-old karaoke worker Ang Vanna, whose body was found on Tuesday morning by a member of the guesthouse’s staff, said Kann Vannak, the police chief of Srah Chak commune.
Mr. Sopheak “used a towel to cover her mouth to prevent her from screaming and strangled her with his hand,” Mr. Vannak said.
Under questioning, Mr. Sopheak confessed to killing his ex-girlfriend over “jealousy,” and admitted to taking her jewelry and phone, according to Mr. Vannak.
The suspect, who had previously been convicted of theft, was released from Prey Sar prison less than a month ago, he said.
Mr. Sopheak, who is originally from Preah Vihear province, was arrested at a house in Sen Sok district’s Toek Thla commune, Mr. Vannak said.
Mr. Sopheak is currently being held at the Phnom Penh municipal police station’s serious crimes bureau and will be sent to the municipal court this afternoon, deputy municipal police chief Song Ly said.
