The expatriate community in Cambodia is reeling after the shocking murder of British woman Jessica Cariad Hopkins, 34, who was stabbed to death late Friday night, August 29, 2025, in Phnom Penh’s Chamkarmon district. The attack, which police described as an act of jealousy stemming from a love triangle, has left friends, family, and locals stunned, as details of the grisly crime and its aftermath have come to light through multiple media outlets including BBC News, The Telegraph, and The Express.
According to Phnom Penh police commissioner Chuon Narin, Hopkins was discovered with multiple stab wounds near a popular park in the Chamkarmon district, a bustling area in the Cambodian capital. Local media and law enforcement sources identified the victim as originally hailing from Harpenden, Hertfordshire, in the United Kingdom. She had been living in Cambodia for several years, first settling in Siem Reap—famous for its proximity to Angkor Wat—before moving to Phnom Penh, where she was known among locals and expats alike for her kindness and generosity.
The investigation swiftly led authorities to arrest Kidikila Nganda Glodie, a 33-year-old woman originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Saturday afternoon, August 30. Police tracked Glodie to a beauty salon in the Daun Penh district, about 1.5 miles from the crime scene, where she was filmed being handcuffed and escorted by officers. According to Daily Mail and Khmer Times, Glodie and Hopkins had been living together in a rented property in the Chroy Changvar area of Phnom Penh. The two women were seen traveling together by motorbike to the Koh Pich (Diamond Island) area on the night of the murder, where they sat in a public park before a heated argument broke out.
Eyewitnesses recounted the chilling escalation of events. Deputy Chief at the Criminal Investigations Office, Em Vichetr, told Khmer Times: “According to witnesses, the suspect knocked the victim down and pushed her to the ground.” He continued, “The suspect took a knife and stabbed the victim many times in the throat, causing her to die at the scene, before fleeing.” The murder weapon—a bloodied knife—was recovered nearby by police shortly after the incident.
Authorities believe the motive was personal jealousy, linked to a suspected affair. Brigadier General Bun Satya, another senior police official, explained that Glodie had confessed to the attack during her interrogation. “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, as reported by The Express and Daily Mail. Police have indicated that Glodie is expected to be charged with murder, a crime that carries a potential sentence of 10 to 15 years in prison under Cambodian law.
The murder has sent shockwaves through Cambodia’s expatriate community, with many expressing disbelief and sorrow at the loss of Hopkins, who was widely regarded as a gentle and selfless individual. Friends took to social media to share their grief and memories. “She was a very gentle, kind, soft person who always had time for you,” one wrote, according to The Telegraph. Another mourner described her as “selfless” and a “wonderful human who took the world’s problems on her shoulders.” Sophie Marston, a close friend, posted: “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 just wanted to help anyone and everyone. I can’t believe I’m talking in past tense.”
Hopkins, remembered by her nickname “Teacher Jess,” was described as someone who “wanted to help everyone,” according to friends quoted by The Express. Tributes poured in from neighbors and colleagues, with Natalie Bronkhorst writing: “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.” Another friend, Sophors Chheoun, shared: “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.”
Local authorities also addressed aspects of the crime’s aftermath that have raised concerns. Two witnesses who livestreamed the incident to social media were reprimanded by police but later cooperated with the investigation and were released, as reported by Daily Mail and The Express.
Hopkins’s family has received support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which confirmed to BBC News and other outlets: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Cambodia and are in contact with the local authorities.” The FCDO has been liaising closely with Cambodian officials as the investigation proceeds.
The murder weapon, a knife, was recovered at the scene, reinforcing the accounts of witnesses and police. Glodie was arrested less than a day after the attack, at approximately 4:30 pm local time, a testament to the rapid response by Phnom Penh police. Video footage of her arrest circulated widely on social media, underscoring the public attention the case has received both in Cambodia and abroad.
Hopkins’s background offers a poignant reminder of her impact on those around her. After leaving university in 2013, she moved to Cambodia, where she became a fixture in expat circles and was known for her teaching and volunteer work. Her father, a professor and author specializing in education, described himself on his CV as “committed” to delivering quality education for everyone, and as the father of three “fabulous” children.
As the investigation continues, Cambodian authorities are preparing to charge Glodie with murder. The expatriate and local communities alike have been left grappling with the senselessness of the act and remembering Hopkins for her warmth, generosity, and commitment to helping others. The loss has been felt deeply by those who knew her, with one mourner summing up the sentiment: “The most beautiful soul and very kind heart! RIP Jessica Cariad Hopkins.”
In a city that has seen its share of tragedies, the death of Jessica Cariad Hopkins stands out for the sheer heartbreak it has caused among friends, family, and the wider community—both in Cambodia and the UK.