British woman stabbed to death in Phnom Penh, Cambodian police say

Authorities say a 34-year-old British national was found with stab wounds in a garden and a foreign woman has been arrested in connection with the killing.

A 34-year-old British woman has been killed in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, local police said Friday, with authorities arresting another foreign national in connection with the incident. The victim was discovered with stab wounds in a garden in the Chamkar Mon district, south of the city centre, police said.

Local media reported that police spent about 17 hours investigating the scene before making the arrest; authorities identified the detained person only as a woman and said she is also a foreign national. Cambodian police did not immediately release the identities of either the victim or the arrested woman, and investigators said the inquiry into the circumstances of the killing is ongoing.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom issued a brief statement confirming consular assistance. "We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Cambodia and are in contact with the local authorities," the FCDO said. The statement did not provide further details and said the UK government would continue to engage with Cambodian officials as investigations proceed.

Police said the woman was renting a house in Phnom Penh. The victim was found at the property in Chamkar Mon, an area that lies south of the central business district and contains both residential neighbourhoods and commercial developments frequented by expatriates. Cambodian authorities have not disclosed the possible motive or whether any weapon has been recovered; forensic teams were reported to be processing the scene.

Officials in Phnom Penh have increasingly faced international scrutiny over crimes involving foreign nationals in recent years, and consular support is typically provided to families when their citizens are victims of serious crimes abroad. Cambodian law enforcement agencies have said they will provide updates as the investigation advances and will cooperate with foreign diplomatic representatives where required.

Cambodia’s capital has long attracted tourists, long-term residents and foreign workers, and local police have in recent years targeted a range of criminal activity from petty theft to violent incidents. Human rights groups and foreign governments often urge transparency and timely information-sharing in cases that involve expatriates, particularly when arrests are made soon after a crime is detected.

The arrest of the other foreign national followed an extended police inquiry at the residential property, during which officers reportedly gathered evidence and interviewed witnesses. It was not clear whether the detained woman had legal representation or whether charges had been filed at the time authorities announced the arrest. Cambodian judicial procedure allows for detentions while investigations continue, and prosecutors must decide whether to press formal charges.

Cambodian officials have not provided a timeline for when they will release further information, citing the need to protect the integrity of the investigation and respect the privacy of the victim’s family. Embassy and consular staff customarily assist with administrative matters such as repatriation of remains and liaison with local authorities when a national is killed overseas; the FCDO’s statement indicated that support for the victim’s family was under way.

Local news outlets covering the incident quoted police sources but also highlighted the limited publicly available details. Journalists in Phnom Penh reported cordons at the scene in Chamkar Mon on Friday as investigators worked into the night. Neighbourhood residents and expatriate communities often rely on local media and diplomatic channels for updates in such cases, as formal releases from police can be cautious in the early stages of a probe.

Cambodia's legal process for violent crime involves police investigation followed by prosecutor review; if sufficient evidence is found, the case moves to trial in the court system. International cases can involve additional complexity when suspects or victims are foreign nationals, including requests for consular access, translation of documents, and potential cooperation with foreign law enforcement depending on the circumstances.

The killing will likely prompt calls from foreign missions for transparent, timely updates, and may lead to renewed attention on safety advice for expatriates and visitors in Phnom Penh. The British embassy and other diplomatic missions typically publish travel advice and safety guidance for their citizens, and they can provide practical assistance to families following violent incidents abroad.

Authorities have urged anyone with information about the case to come forward. Cambodian police said they would issue further details as evidence is corroborated and as procedural steps in the investigation are completed. Meanwhile, neighbours and members of the expatriate community in the district expressed shock at the reported violence, saying such incidents are relatively rare in the immediate area but underline the unpredictability of serious crime.

The investigation into the death remains active. Cambodian police have custody of the arrested woman while forensic and witness inquiries proceed, and officials said they will provide updates when they are able to do so within the bounds of legal and procedural requirements. The FCDO reaffirmed its support for the victim’s family and its engagement with local authorities, reflecting standard consular practice following the death of a national abroad.