Emaciated Woman Found Alive in Phnom Penh Vacant Lot

Phnom Penh, 17 May 2025 – Authorities are investigating after a severely malnourished woman was found alive in an overgrown lot in Chroy Changvar district.

Around 11:00 a.m., residents reported an unconscious woman lying on a vacant parcel near Keng Road and Win Win Boulevard. Police and emergency responders arrived quickly and confirmed she was still breathing, though in critical condition.

Witnesses said they had seen the woman around 5:30 a.m. but assumed she was sleeping. It wasn’t until later that someone realized she was unresponsive and called for help.

The woman, believed to be in her late 30s or early 40s, showed signs of starvation and dehydration. She was rushed to Calmette Hospital, where doctors stabilized her. Medical staff say she faces a long recovery and is currently unable to speak for long periods.

District police chief Kim Phann confirmed that no ID or belongings were found at the scene. CCTV footage in the area has not yet revealed how she got there. Authorities have asked the public for help in identifying her.

Local charities have offered post-hospital support, while officials pledged increased patrols of vacant lots and construction zones—common hiding places for the vulnerable.

The case has sparked calls from advocacy groups for stronger protections for Phnom Penh’s homeless and mentally ill, who often go unnoticed until a crisis occurs.