The case of a woman who was accused of killing her mother to steal more than 375 grams of gold in Koh Kong province, has been sent to the provincial court despite investigators being unable to find any incriminating evidence to demonstrate her involvement in the killing.

On May 28, Meng Say, 53, was killed when she was axed in the face in Khemarak Phumin town. Police arrested neighbour Chea Mom, 45, in connection to the incident.

After questioning, police also apprehended Say’s daughter Pan Naysim, 31.

“The reason that police detained the daughter was because the suspect, Chea Mom, said that Pan Naysim is the killer and that she bribed Chea Mom with gold and money not to tell the police,” Koh Kong criminal bureau deputy chief Lay Tiro said.

Based on some evidence and witness testimonies, police were unable to demonstrate the daughter’s alleged role in the brutal attack.

“But we could not release her yet . . . because of the confession made by Chea Mom about her involvement,” Tiro said.

An independent investigation by rights group Adhoc found that Mom was innocent. Adhoc officials and Naysim’s lawyer are asking the court to release her on bail and drop the charges.

Koh Kong provincial investigative judge Min Makara said police are continuing to investigate the case.

“I couldn’t answer anything right now. The information we have is secret,” he said.