British Expat Fatally Stabbed in Cambodia by Housemate
A shocking crime unfolded in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, when a British woman was fatally stabbed by her Congolese housemate in a public park. The suspect claimed the murder was motivated by jealousy over an alleged affair.
The victim, 34-year-old Jessica Cariad Hopkins, originally from Harpenden, Hertfordshire, had been living in Cambodia for several years. According to her social media, she previously resided in Siem Reap before moving to a rental property in the capital city.
The Incident at Koh Pich
Police were alerted by horrified witnesses who saw a woman repeatedly stabbing another at Koh Pich, a popular riverside district in Phnom Penh. Hopkins suffered multiple wounds to her throat and died at the scene. The attacker discarded the blood-stained knife before fleeing.
Security camera footage later revealed that Hopkins had gone to the park with her housemate, 33-year-old Kiddidila Ngada Glodie, who was identified as the suspect. Their heated argument quickly escalated into violence, ending in the brutal killing.
Arrest and Confession
Authorities located Glodie at Zola Salon, a nail salon just 1.5 kilometers from the crime scene. She was taken into custody and, according to Cambodian police, admitted to the murder.
Police Chief Bun Saty confirmed the suspect’s confession:
“During interrogation, the suspect admitted she killed the victim because she was angry at her for having an affair with her Congolese boyfriend.”
The UK Foreign Office has since confirmed that they are providing assistance to Hopkins’s family while liaising with Cambodian officials as the investigation continues.
Community Reaction
The expat community in Cambodia has been left reeling by the tragedy. Friends and acquaintances described Hopkins as warm, kind, and gentle. Tributes poured in on social media, with one mourner writing: “She was a very gentle, kind, soft person who always had time for you.” Another remembered her as “the sweetest, kindest person I ever met.”
Broader Concerns
This killing marks the second reported death of a female expat in Cambodia in August. Earlier that month, French national Lisa Girard was discovered dead near Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, just two days after she went missing during a morning jog. The cause of her death remains under investigation.
Hopkins’s murder has sparked renewed concerns about safety among expatriates living in Cambodia, particularly women. While violent crimes against foreigners remain relatively rare, these two high-profile cases in the same month have unsettled many in the community.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crime while Hopkins’s family, friends, and the wider expat community mourn the loss of a life described as compassionate and full of kindness.
