Police arrested Hay Sokha, 35, in Pailin Wednesday in connection with the sexual assault and stabbing death of a Battambang province woman found dead in her home Saturday, Battambang police Chief Heng Chantha said.
Hay Sokha confessed that he robbed, raped and killed Vorn Voeun, 37, Heng Chantha said.
“In the beginning, he was only going to rob [Vorn Voeun]. But he changed his mind and raped and killed her because the victim recognized him,” Heng Chantha said.
Hay Sokha worked as a tire repairman near Vorn Voeun’s home. He had visited her before and came to her home to play cards Friday night, Heng Chantha said.
He hid in a room and waited for members of the household to go to sleep before committing the crimes, Heng Chantha said.
Police have recovered more than $1,000 worth of gold from Hay Sokha and returned it to the victim’s husband, World Vision official Vorn Sam El.
Vorn Voeun’s body was found by her 14-year-old son Saturday morning. Police said she was raped, beaten with a stick and stabbed in the throat with scissors.
