A suspected chicken thief was found dead next to a chicken coop in Kampot province yesterday morning after he was apparently electrocuted by wires he cut to get inside.

Luon Laly, Chumkiri deputy district police chief, said Ven Knhen, 36, was found in the district’s Svay Anhchit commune.

Laly said police found a small knife, scissors, a hammer and a slingshot on Knhen’s masked body, along with a dead hen stuffed under his shirt.

A bag packed with 38 eggs, six chickens, and numerous chicks was also found in a nearby bush.

“According to the authorities’ conclusion, the victim was a chicken thief and has been wanted by villagers after many chickens and ducks disappeared in this location,” said Laly.

Sok Sakan, central office chief at the provincial police station, said Knhen died of electric shock after trying to cut the wires at night.

The coop’s owner, 23-year-old Sin Phirum, said the wires were layered with plastic and would not have harmed an innocent person.

“I believe the victim was trying to cut the wire to steal my chickens. But, due to karma, he was shocked to death,” he said.