Preah Vihear provincial police reburied the decomposing body of a suspected murder victim in the same hole where it was found after examining the unidentified corpse for clues, police said on Monday.
A group of villagers looking for mushrooms about 1 km from their homes in Tbeng Meanchey district detected a rotting smell emanating from a freshly dug hole on Friday afternoon in Preah Khlaing commune, said Keo Chamroeun, deputy provincial police chief.
A joint task force of commune, district and provincial police went to the site the next morning, where they dug up a body.
The man’s hands were tied behind his back, and he had facial abrasions, suggesting foul play, Mr. Chamroeun said.
He said the body had likely been buried for three days.
“We buried the body again because if we cremated the body, we would lose the evidence, like clothes,” he said, adding that the investigation into the identity of the victim and possible suspects was ongoing. “We know that the body is there, and when the family comes, we will bring them there.”
