- Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei has died
- She was set on fire by her ex-boyfriend
- These are all the tragic details
Three weeks after her performance at the Olympic Games in Paris, Ugandan long-distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei was the victim of a brutal attack on September 1.
The 33-year-old, who finished 44th in the marathon, was doused with petrol and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend. The crime took place at her home in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya.
Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei dies: All the details
Jeremiah ole Kosiom, police commander of Trans Nzoia County, told 'The Standard': "The couple was heard quarrelling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her. The suspect was also caught by the fire and sustained serious burns."
Her ex-boyfriend Dickson Ndiema Marangach had snuck into the house when Cheptegei was at church with her two children. When she returned, the crime had taken place. The 'BBC' reported this. The authorities have so far withheld information on whether the two children were injured.
The local police told the 'BBC' that investigations had revealed that there had been a dispute over the property. The main suspect in the crime is Rebecca Cheptegei's ex-boyfriend. The investigation is still ongoing.
Neighbors quickly noticed the fire and alerted the emergency services. Cheptegei and her ex-boyfriend were taken to Kitale County Referral Hospital. However, due to the severity of her injuries, the athlete was quickly transferred to Moi Teaching And Referral Hospital in Eldoret. There, doctors fought for her life, but the 33-year-old eventually succumbed to her injuries. According to the local newspaper 'The Star', the athlete suffered burns to 80 percent of her body.
The President of the Uganda Olympic Committee, Donald Rukare, expressed his deep sorrow on Platform X: "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace."
Rebecca Cheptegei is not the only athlete to have been killed in Kenya in recent years. In 2021, runner Agnes Jebet Tirop was stabbed to death, and a year later, athlete Damaris Muthee Mutua was found strangled to death.
Rebecca Cheptegei: A great sportswoman
Rebecca Cheptegei was not only a talented athlete, but also an inspiring personality. In August 2024, she ran her season's best in the marathon at the Olympic Games in Paris, completing the 42.195 kilometers in 2:32:14 hours. This marked a high point in her career, which was characterized by numerous successes.
The athlete qualified for the 2022 Olympic Games at the Abu Dhabi Marathon by running a personal best time of 2:22:47 hours. In the same year, she won a gold medal at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In 2023, she finished 14th at the World Championships in Budapest.
Help with domestic violence: If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline – Toll-free 24/7 hotline for crisis counseling and referrals: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) in the U.S. and the Domestic Violence Help Line 1-888-709-7090 - Violence Prevention Initiative in Canada.
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