By BBC and Khmer Times
A 34-YEAR-OLD British woman was stabbed to death in Cambodia in what police describe as a “love triangle” killing.
Jessica Cariad Hopkins, believed to be from Harpenden, Hertfordshire, was found in a park in the Chamkar Mon district of Phnom Penh on Friday, the police general commissariat said.
Kidikila Nganda Glodie, a 33-year-old Congolese woman, was arrested in connection with the death of her housemate at a nearby salon 17 hours after Hopkins was found.
The UK Foreign Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Cambodia and are in contact with the local authorities.”
The killing occurred around 11 p.m. with the two women having ridden a motorbike together to the Koh Pich area, where they sat in the park.
An argument broke out and they got into a physical fight, said Capt. Vichetr.
“According to witnesses, the suspect knocked the victim down and pushed her to the ground,” he said yesterday.
“The suspect took a knife and stabbed the victim many times in the throat, causing her to die at the scene, before fleeing.”
Witnesses alerted the police, who arrived at the site of the killing around midnight. A bloodstained knife was found near the victim’s body, he stated.
The Congolese was arrested the next day at the beauty salon.
Brigadier General Bun Satya, a Deputy Chief at the Phnom Penh Municipal Police, said it is believed that the suspect had killed her housemate because they had both loved the same man.
“During the interrogation after her arrest, the suspect confessed that she had killed the victim because she was angry at her for having an affair with her Congolese boyfriend,” he said.
The suspect is expected to be charged with murder and could face 10 to 15 years in prison.
Two women in Phnom Penh paid tribute to their friend.
Sophors Chheoun saidHopkins was a “lovely neighbour and dear friend”.
“She was such a caring person, always there for me and my family, helping in ways big and small,” she said on Facebook.
“Her kindness, her smile, and her generous heart meant so much to me.”
Seang Lee said Hopkins was a “beautiful soul” and “a very kind heart”.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page: Jessica Cariad Hopkins, right, and Kidikila Nganda Glodie in handcuffs. Photo Phnom Penh Police / Facebook and published by The Standard
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