The Rusian in the River: The Murder of Denis Goncharov

On July 19th, 2015, the body of a young man was discovered floating in a shallow river near Sihanoukville’s popular Otres beach. He was later identified as a local Russian expatriate, Denis Goncharov. He had been stabbed to death. His killer is still free.

Authors note: The following article concerns the brutal killing of 29-year-old Russian IT expert Denis Goncharov. It was originally written back in July 2015 when I was a newspaper correspondent covering Cambodia. Recent, troublesome developments in the case have prompted me to begin revisiting the story.

Sihanoukville, Cambodia — The hunt for a Russian man wanted in connection with the recent brutal murder of Denis Goncharov, 28, a Sihanoukville resident, took a dramatic twist this week as Sihanoukville detectives chased the wanted individual to Phnom Penh.

Goncharov, also Russian, was found last week floating in the murky water of a shallow canal near Otres Beach, a popular tourist destination for the coastal city of Sihanoukville.

He had been the victim of a frenzied knife attack, according to police investigators. The dead man sustained dozens of stab wounds to his back before having his throat slashed open in an execution-style killing.

City-wide investigations in Sihanoukville revealed clues that resulted in cops determining a prime suspect, and later led detectives to the capital, where the accused is reported to have fled. Cops said they had identified a male Russian, previously resident in Sihanoukville, but wouldn’t name him during the ongoing investigation.

Police officials also told reporters last week that, according to the victim’s Chinese wife, Mr. Goncharov had gone out with a “friend” on his motorcycle late in the evening of Saturday 18th and the scene of the gruesome killing was discovered the next day.

New details from cops this week revealed that the location of the discovery of Goncharov’s body showed the scene of a struggle, evidence of a motorcycle arriving and leaving and smashed glass from a motorcycle’s mirror. Speaking to Khmer reporters at the weekend, Kol Phally — Deputy Police Chief for Preah Sihanouk province — said that they had solid information to suggest the suspect was still in Phnom Penh.

Brigadier General Chuon Narin, the new Chief of Police for Sihanoukville, briefly went to the capital with extra officers from the coast to assist in the investigation. Narin was back in Sihanoukville as Khmer Times went to print this week but couldn’t be reached for comment.

Police statements have indicated that Deputy Police Chief Kol Phally from Sihanoukville is in charge of the case.

Eng Sorphea, Chief of Serious Crime in Phnom Penh, said this weekend that he hadn’t been informed about the case, or the suspect being chased to Phnom Penh, but that police in the capital were on standby to assist their coastal colleagues if required.

Memories of Darker Times

The recent murder of Mr. Goncharov has brought back unwanted echoes of darker times for Sihanoukville residents.

Feuding Russian factions and gang violence. Beatings, shootings, stabbings and exploding cars; memories that this city’s residents have tried to forget.

When Chuon Narin took office as Preah Sihanouk’s top cop four months ago, his first promise was to tackle violence and what he openly called mafia. He replaced the under-fire previous chief during an upsurge in violent crime often linked to Russians.

“The recent murder has obviously upset the community and brought back bad memories,” said one local English teacher. “But I don’t think one killing should distract us from the fact that things have generally improved,” she added.

The brutality of last week’s murder, coupled with memories of recent history, have caused renewed tension and a level of division between communities in this otherwise peaceful coastal city.

Suspicion of Russians has notably increased. Comments such as “the Russians are at it again” and “just the Russians being themselves” are routinely floating around conversation in Sihanoukville social circles. But some have told this writer that the community shouldn’t be too quick to judge.

“The actions of a handful of violent Russians shouldn’t stain the reputation of them all,” said one British restaurant owner, who requested anonymity. “Many of them are nice people.”

A top Sihanoukville tourism official told Khmer Times this week that “recent violent crime” is concerning, but held out hope for justice in Goncharov’s killing.

“I’m glad that the murder suspect still within reach of the police,” they added.

Coming soon: The Russian in the River (Part 2)