Kambol district police are on the hunt for a suspect who allegedly stabbed his wife to death in a fit of jealousy on Monday in Don Roth village, Ovlaok commune, Phnom Penh.

District police chief Hang Mony said on Tuesday that Sokly Sambath, 23, is being sought by police. He escaped immediately after allegedly stabbing his wife, Leang Phalla, 23.

“We are working actively to detain the suspect since we already know his identity,” Mony said.

Commune police chief Meas Samun said the incident happened at about 7pm.

Citing the victim’s family, Samun said Sambath and Phalla married in 2017. Phalla worked in a garment factory while Sambath is a construction worker and a Khmer instrumental music player.

Sambath lived with Phalla’s family and they have a one-year-old son. Sambath got jealous of Phalla and was a cause of domestic violence.

Before the incident, Sambath accused Phalla of having an affair with another man. Sambath grew angry and stabbed Phalla in the chest, according to police.

Samun said nearby villagers were stunned. Sambath then rode away on a motorbike while Phalla’s family rushed her to Calmette hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

He said police could not make assumptions about the case but from the evidence so far, the motive behind the killing was jealousy.