A farmer killed his wife with an ax, set fire to his home and hanged himself from a nearby tree in Kompong Thom province on Sunday evening, according to authorities, who said they had exhausted all leads in their investigation.
Provincial military police commander Hang Thol said the bodies of Ket Thanh, 45, and his wife Vorn Say, 35, had been found Monday morning next to a fruit tree near their flaming home in Sandan district’s Meanrith commune.
Brigadier General Thol said neighbors reported that the husband had often drank heavily and the pair often argued, but that there had never been any sign of violence.
The commander said locals had told him the husband was intoxicated on Sunday evening but that there had been no arguing.
On Monday morning, locals woke to find the couple’s home on fire and alerted police.
Brig. Gen. Thol said the wife had been killed by a single ax blow to the neck and the husband had apparently hanged himself.
“We cannot find out the reason for the murder and suicide because both of them are dead,” he said.
