Paris Olympic star Rebecca Cheptegei murdered in gruesome arson attack

A Ugandan marathon runner who competed in the Paris Olympics last month has died just days after her boyfriend doused her with petrol and set her on fire.

Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, died Thursday at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, where she was being treated after suffering burns to 80 percent of her body. Her death was caused by multiple organ failure, Dr. Owen Menach said. The New York Times.

Cheptegei was attacked less than a month after competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics, where she finished 44th in the women’s marathon.

On Monday, Trans Nzoia County Police Commissioner Jeremiah ole Kosiom said Cheptegei’s partner bought a can of petrol during an argument on Sunday, poured it on her and then set her on fire. A report from the local police commissioner said the two had argued over a piece of land Cheptegei had bought in Trans Nzoia, which her parents said she had acquired to build a house near the county’s sports training centres.

The friend, identified as Dickson Ndiema, also suffered burns in the incident and is being treated at the same hospital where Cheptegei died. Dr. Menach said Ndiema suffered burns to 30 percent of his body and described his condition in the facility’s intensive care unit as “improving and stable,” according to the Associated Press.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the death early this morning of our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who was tragically the victim of domestic violence,” the Uganda Athletics Federation wrote in a statement on Thursday. “As a federation, we condemn such acts and demand justice. May her soul rest in peace.”

Donald Rukare, chairman of the Uganda Olympic Committee, also condemned the violence against women. “This was a cowardly and senseless act that resulted in the loss of a great athlete,” he wrote in a statement. “Her legacy will live on.”