[2][3] During his time working for the Virakchun Khmer Daily newspaper, Hang Serei Odom was known for reporting on stories that involved illegal logging activities.
[1] In the months before his death, he uncovered several cases that were linked to Cambodia's elite, including a story published 6 September about the son of a military police commander, causing investigations into their involvement in illegal logging.
[10] Irina Bokova, director-general of UNESCO, said, "This is the first murder of a journalist in Cambodia in a long time and I trust that the Cambodian authorities will do all in their power to bring those responsible for this crime to justice.
Crimes against media personnel must be brought to justice to prevent a climate of fear from constricting journalists' ability to claim their human and professional right to freedom of expression.
[2][16] Ramana Sorn, who represents the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said Odam's and Chutty's murders are threats to other journalists who attempt to expose illegal logging in Cambodia.
[18] In September 2012, military officer An Bunheng (a subordinate of Kem Raksmey) and his wife "Vy" were arrested in connection with the murder investigation after the victim's shoes were allegedly found in the couple's home.