Local residents in Phnom Penh's Dangkor district discovered the body of a foreign man in an unlocked car in a vacant lot on 30/5. Authorities and forensic experts promptly arrived at the scene to examine the body, identify the victim, and determine the cause of death.

Inside and outside the vehicle, investigators found suspicious items: two knives, blood-stained tissues and tape, plastic zip ties, a pillow, socks, and numerous mineral water bottles.

Authorities at the scene where the body of the Chinese real estate tycoon was found in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 30/5. Photo: CC Times

Forensic examination revealed the victim, later identified as Yang Weixin, 53, a Chinese national, sustained severe injuries. These included a head laceration from a strong blow, multiple bruises on his face and neck, blood clots in his eyes, and signs of beating and restraint on his limbs and torso. Forensic experts initially determined the cause of death was suffocation, concluding that he was beaten, stabbed, and subjected to violence before dying. This was identified as a premeditated murder.

According to a preliminary investigation report, Yang Weixin was the owner of a real estate company and resided in an apartment building in Chroy Changvar district. His wife reported him missing on the evening of 29/5. Security camera footage from the apartment's parking lot, recorded at 8:16 PM, showed three unidentified men forcibly kidnapping him and driving him away.

At 3 AM on 30/5, Yang Weixin's wife received a message from him stating that the kidnappers were demanding a 2 million USD ransom. He continued to send messages until 8:47 AM, with the final message reading, "it's over." Around 11:30 AM, she received a call from police informing her of her husband's murder.

The car containing the body of the Chinese real estate tycoon at the scene. Photo: Khmer Times

The wife also disclosed that her husband had a long-standing debt dispute with another Chinese man since 2014, following a failed business deal. Last year, this individual revisited their home to demand repayment, and the conflict between the two had persisted for years. Police are currently investigating whether this kidnapping and murder are linked to the ongoing business dispute.

Huyen Le (According to Khmer Times, CC Times)