The body of a Cham woman who had been missing since Monday evening was found about 200 metres from her home in Tbong Khmum’s Prek Touch village on Tuesday morning and a suspect is on the run, authorities said on Wednesday.

Pin Chhun, chief of Tonle Bit commune, identified the victim as Tin Hai Sak, 24, who was expecting a child. The suspect allegedly used her hijab to strangle her.

A man and a woman were questioned by police in connection with this case, with the woman suspected of having brought Hai Sak to meet the suspect, Chhun said. Information from the woman led police to the suspect’s house, but he had already fled.

The man was suspected of having tipped off the suspect about the investigation, he added. As of Wednesday afternoon, both were still being detained.

Kob Less, Prek Touch village chief, identified the suspect as Krin Krai, and said there were signs at the scene indicating the victim had tried to fight off the suspect.

“On the victim’s fingernails there were hairs,” he said. “Police took those hairs, thumbprints and the hijab for examination.”

Saun Seang Hy, police chief in Tonle Bit commune, and Suon Seangly, police chief in Tbong Khmum district, declined to comment.

Prak Bun Nan, deputy police chief in Tbong Khmum province, said the victim was strangled, her neck was broken and she had other injuries, but police were still investigating.