Chinese man found dead in Cambodian river

Cambodian police have launched a murder investigation after villagers discovered the body of a Chinese man stuffed into a suitcase and dumped in a river.

The grim discovery was made on the evening of 13 February in Prey Veng province. Residents of Nhat Chro village noticed a large black suitcase floating in the Anlong Veng River and alerted local authorities. When officers retrieved it, they found the corpse of a man inside.

Officials said the victim, believed to be around 40 years old, was dressed in a white short-sleeved shirt and knee-length shorts. His hands and feet had been bound, and his mouth sealed with tape. Police confirmed he was of Chinese nationality but have not yet established his identity.

The case has shocked the community, with villagers describing their horror at the discovery. District authorities said they could not determine when the man was killed, and forensic examinations are now under way. The body has been transferred to Stung Meanchey Temple in Phnom Penh while investigators continue their work.

Cambodia has seen a rise in violent crime linked to transnational networks in recent years, with several high-profile cases involving foreign nationals. Police are treating the incident as a serious criminal matter and have pledged to pursue all leads.

For now, the mystery of who the victim was, and why he was killed, remains unsolved. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as they try to piece together the circumstances behind the suitcase murder.

-2025-02-16