A 33-year-old Congolese woman has confessed to stabbing a British woman to death in Cambodia’s capital, according to police.
Jessica Cariad Hopkins, believed to be from Harpenden in Hertfordshire, was found dead in a park in Phnom Penh on Friday.
The 34-year-old was found lying in a pool of blood with her throat slit at around 11.40pm in the Chamkarmon district.
Her flatmate, Kidikila Nganda Glodie, was arrested at a hair salon about 1.5 miles from the scene of the killing, officials said.
Investigating officers believe that the death was likely the result of jealousy, after Glodie learnt Ms Hopkins was having an affair with her boyfriend.
Paying tribute to Ms Hopkins on social media, her friends described her as a “beautiful soul” with a “generous heart”.
One friend said: “I am heartbroken to lose my lovely neighbour and dear friend Jessica Cariad Hopkins. She was such a caring person, always there for me and my family, helping in ways big and small. Her kindness, her smile, and her generous heart meant so much to me.
“It feels unreal that she is gone. My heart aches knowing such a beautiful soul was taken from us too soon. Rest in peace, Jessica. You will forever be missed and remembered with love.”
Officers revealed that Ms Hopkins and Glodie had been living together in a rented property at the time of Ms Hopkins’ death.
On the night of the attack, it is alleged the pair rode a motorbike to the park before getting into a fight, according to local media reports.
Captain Em Vichetr, a Deputy Chief at the Criminal Investigation Office, told the Khmer Times that eyewitness watched the murder take place.
“According to witnesses, the suspect knocked the victim down and pushed her to the ground,” he said.
“The suspect took a knife and stabbed the victim many times in the throat, causing her to die at the scene, before fleeing.”
Police were alerted and arrived at the scene of the killing around midnight. A bloodstained knife was found near the victim’s body, he added.
Bun Satya, a Deputy Chief at the Phnom Penh Municipal Police, said that his force believe Ms Hopkins was killed because she was romantically involved with Glodie’s boyfriend.
“During the interrogation after her arrest, the suspect confessed that she had killed the victim because she was angry at her for having an affair with her Congolese boyfriend,” he said.
Glodie is expected to be charged with murder and could face 10 to 15 years in prison.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Cambodia and are in contact with the local authorities.”
