Police in Banteay Meanchey province arrested a man on Monday for hacking his girlfriend to death with a cleaver in a fit of jealousy, officials said Tuesday.
Uy Oeuth, 45, had been drinking in a neighboring village and began arguing with his girlfriend, Chem Ing, 42, upon returning to his house in Mongkol Borei district’s Sambuor commune at about 4 p.m., said commune police chief San Bunthon.
The fight turned violent and Mr. Oeuth struck Chem Ing 19 times with a cleaver, Mr. Bunthon said.
“This violent attack occurred because the suspect drank too much and was jealous, because he thought Chem Ing was with another man,” he said.
Hean Ang, chief of Daun Louk village, where the couple lived, said Chem Ing tried to run away but that Mr. Oeuth pinned her down outside the house, then slit her throat and hacked at her body.
Chem Ing’s mother tried to intervene, Mr. Ang said, but Mr. Oeuth sliced her arm. The village chief said the suspect then tried to take his own life, but that police stopped him.
