A young American tourist was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly raping then stabbing to death a Cambodian masseuse.

Shawn Sanchez, 24, is said to have been in a room with Luk Chak, 27, on Tuesday night at the massage parlour in Kep district, Cambodia.

The mother-of-one was later found dead in a blood bath with her trousers pulled down to her ankles and her top pulled up just after 8pm in the Prey Thom district of the city.

Officers said Sanchez had been seen on CCTV and by witnesses leaving the building, named Lida Khmer Massage.

Shawn Sanchez (left and right) is said to have been in a room with the woman on Tuesday night at the massage parlour in Kep district, Cambodia

Police launched a manhunt checking local bars and hotels.

He was later arrested in neighbouring Kampot province at 8am on Wednesday having allegedly left his guesthouse in a taxi last night.

The tourist from Colorado was pictured at the police station with scratches to the left side of his neck.

One mugshot shows him sitting at a desk in his underpants with a knife allegedly found in his pocket aid out before him.

Officers claim that he was carrying the knife among his belongings which also included two mobile phones, a wallet, Mastercard and around 400 dollars in notes.

Luk Chuk, 27, was later found dead in a pool of blood in the room at the massage parlour

Cambodian police confirmed the arrest over the rape and murder of the young massage girl, who is also a policeman's daughter.

Lt. Col. Man Sour Ov, Kep provincial police commissioner, said Luk Chak had recently started working at the massage shop after giving birth to her young eight-month-old daughter.

He said: 'The victim is the wife of Pok Soun Vibol, 27, a rice farmer, who has an eight-month-old daughter with her.

'The victim's father-in-law, Sok Sam Ath, a lieutenant colonel and a Kep provincial military commander.

Cambodian police confirmed the arrest over the rape and murder of the young massage girl, who is also a policeman's daughter

The mother-of-one was later found dead in a blood bath with her trousers pulled down to her ankles and her top pulled up just after 8pm in the Prey Thom district of the city

'After the murders and the authorities were given a forensic examination, this morning, competent cops finished examining the scene and handed the victim's body to the family for the traditional festivals. '

Police said that two witnesses - the owners of the massage shop and a massage therapist - claim that he was in the massage and killed the young mother.

The taxi driver allegedly said he was the one who had taken Sanchez to the neighbouring city last night.

Lieutenant General Mao Chandemith, Kampot provincial police chief, said that Sanchez had arrived in the region on February 26.

Officers claim that he was carrying the knife among his belongings which also included two mobile phones, a wallet, Mastercard and around 400 dollars in notes

Officers said Sanchez had been seen on CCTV and by witnesses leaving the building, named Lida Khmer Massage

He added: 'Sanchez came to Kep on February 26 and was staying at a guesthouse until February 28 when he left at 8am by taxi to Kampot province.'

Lt. Col. Ieng Sam Ol, provincial police chief of Kep province, confirmed today (Wed) that Sanchez had been arrested over the murder.

He added: 'The case is proceeding with all the evidence being gathered. We believe the man used a knife to kill the woman.

'The victim had been raped and then the perpetrator killed her to silence her.'