A moped was found near the body of Jessica Cariad Hopkins in a picturesque park in Cambodia along with the plastic cover of a knife after the 34-year-old was stabbed to death
Gruesome scene pictures have emerged of the spot in Cambodia where a British woman was found with her throat slit.
Jessica Cariad Hopkins, 34, who moved overseas because she “wanted to help everyone” was stabbed to death on Friday. Her alleged killer was tracked down 17 hours later at a beauty salon.
Jessica was allegedly stabbed to death by her housemate in what police describe as a love triangle. A pal told online how the situation was “messy” but said Jessica was “kind and beautiful”.
A friend, bar and restaurant owner, Sam Savdey, from Phnom Penh told the Mirror of her shock after finding out the day after the murder. She said that Jessica worked as a teacher, adding: “She was a very nice, friendly and gentle person. She’s been a great sister to me.”
Pictures of the crime scene show a moped next to a large bloodstain on the ground where Jessica’s body was discovered. What appears to be a plastic cover for a kitchen knife can be seen a few feet away. A pink handbag was also found at the scene with the straps having apparently been cut.
Phnom Penh has very little green space but Jessica was found in a fairly new park near Koh Pich City Hall.
According to local reports a witness was riding a motorbike near the scene just before midnight on Saturday when they saw the accused arguing violently with the victim. But he carried on driving.
A short time later, he rode the motorbike back the same way, passing the scene and found the victim lying dead in the garden, her body covered in blood. There was a knife near her body, along with a moped parked up nearby.
When police arrived at the scene they found two witnesses on bikes talking to journalists and ordered their keys removed until they helped officers with their enquiries.
Kidikila Nganda Glodie, 33, was arrested 17 hours later at a local beauty salon and has allegedly confessed to her murder.
She was filmed wearing a brown top and black trousers, apparently being asked where her clothes were from the previous evening. The suspect’s mugshot was taken after she arrived at the Phnom Penh Police Inspectorate ready for legal proceedings.
Online Jessica’s friends described her as a ‘beautiful’ woman and a ‘teacher’ with suggestions she had previously posted an advert online for work at a beauty salon too. It is not that known if that was the same salon where the suspect was arrested more than a mile from the scene.
One pal claimed the situation between the three was “messy” and another praised Jessica for mixing with the local community rather than remaining with ExPats.
Jessica from Harpenden in Hertfordshire, is thought to have been living in rented accommodation with some reports she shared a home with the accused.
Police Captain Vichetr said an argument broke out on Friday night and they got into a physical fight. He said: “According to witnesses, the suspect knocked the victim down and pushed her to the ground.
“The suspect took a knife and stabbed the victim many times in the throat, causing her to die at the scene, before fleeing.”
Witnesses alerted the police, who arrived at the site of the killing around midnight.
Jessica’s devastated friends paid tribute to her on Facebook with Sophie Marston saying Jess was like a sister to her.
Sophie said: “We couldn’t have been closer. She was a wonderful human, selfless, she took the world’s problems on her shoulders. It’s why she stayed in Cambodia, she’s just wanted to help anyone and everyone..I can’t believe I’m talking in past tense.”
On her Facebook page in a post about love she shared, it said: “I learned love is about giving everything and letting it hurt.” Other posts show her skiing with her brother and feeding monkeys in Cambodia after leaving university in 2013.
Her dad is a Professor and author, who is an expert in education who is “committed” to providing a good education for all. He is also a highly respected mountain guide In his CV he talks about being the father of three “fabulous” children.
Paying tribute to Jessica, Natalie Bronkhurst wrote : “Rest well, Teacher Jess. You were the sweetest, kindest person I have ever met. You didn’t deserve this—nobody does. You had the purest heart, and we will always remember you that way. Fly high, Jess.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office say they are supporting the family of the victim and are in contact with local authorities.