Police on Wednesday arrested a 32-year-old Cambodian man who they say has confessed to killing Daphna Beerdsen, a 31-year-old Dutch woman found dead in her Phnom Penh home Monday morning.
“We have arrested one guy who committed the murder of the Dutch woman,” said Lieutenant General Kirth Chantharith, National Police spokesman.
“He has confessed to his actions.”
Lt. Gen. Chantharith said that the suspect had entered the Tonle Bassac commune home of Daphna Beerdsen around 3 a.m. Monday morning and attempted to steal a bicycle.
“During his actions, [Daphna Beerdsen] saw him stealing the bicycle and shouted for help,” Mr. Chantharith said. “That is why he stabbed her with the screwdriver.”
Daphna Beerdsen’s 19-month-old daughter was also attacked in the home invasion and was airlifted to Bangkok on Monday night to receive treatment for serious head trauma and stab wounds to her body.
“[The suspect] also confessed to stabbing the baby on the body. It is unclear why.”
Mr. Chantharith said that Phnom Penh penal police made the arrest around 10 p.m. last night in Daun Penh district’s Wat Botum pagoda. He said the suspect was in possession of the victim’s handbag.
