A man aged 85 died on the spot after being attacked multiple times by his son-in-law with a sickle. The alleged killer is reportedly on the run.

A police report said the incident occurred at about 7pm on Tuesday in Kok Doung commune’s Kok Trabek village, in Siem Reap province’s Angkor Chum district.

Angkor Chum district police chief Man Sokhat said it was a case of “intentional murder”.

He said the suspect had used a sickle to attack his father-in-law three times – twice on the head and once on the right shoulder.

“The suspect intended to murder the victim. It was clearly an intentional attack, not an accident,” Sokhat said.

Police identified the victim as Phorn Prem, and the suspect as San Chek, 65.

“We have identified the area where the suspect might have escaped to. While police are hunting for him, the victim’s body has been handed over to his family for the funeral,” Sokhat said.

He said the adversity stemmed from a quarrel, triggered by jealousy, between Chek and his wife – identified as Sen Ak, 38.

“The suspect had an argument with his wife when her father came to the house. Vexed by Prem’s interference, the suspect picked up a sickle and attacked him with it. Chek then fled the crime scene right afterwards.”

Sokhat said the wife had been left unscathed “because she had left the house mid-argument before the attack happened”.