A man allegedly killed his girlfriend on Tuesday in Phnom Penh’s Russey Keo district and then tried to commit suicide but failed, district police said.

The 26-year-old man from Takeo province is now in a hospital in Phnom Penh recovering from a self-inflicted wound.

Russey Keo district police official Sok Kunthea said the suspect was a garment worker who shared a room in Boeung Salang village with his girlfriend and her cousin.

Kunthea identified the deceased woman as Sok Sim, 20, also a garment worker. She came from Prey Veng province’s Prek Krabao commune.

“Our specialists have already carried out a post-mortem examination. The suspect strangled her to death and then he stabbed himself in the throat with a knife in an attempt to kill himself. He didn’t die but sustained severe injuries. He is now at Calmette Hospital under police surveillance,” Kunthea said.

Kunthea said the man’s motive was unknown but that he will be interrogated when he recovered well enough to talk.

Russey Keo district police chief Toch Kimsong said Sim’s body has been handed over to her family for final rites in her hometown. He said the suspect could have committed the crime in a fit of jealousy.