Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei dies after petrol attack

A Ugandan athlete competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics has died after reportedly being set on fire by her boyfriend in Kenya.

As PEOPLE previously reported, 33-year-old long-distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei suffered burns to 75 percent of her body after her boyfriend allegedly doused her with gasoline and set her on fire in her home in Trans Nzoia County, western Kenya, on Sunday, September 1, police said, according to the Associated Press, BBC News and ESPN.

On Thursday, September 5, local media reported that Cheptegei had died from her injuries. Daily Nation, The standard And The Star.

According to the nationDr. Owen Menach, Director of Clinical Services and Surgery at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, confirmed the sad news and announced that the athlete died of “complete organ failure” at around 5am local time.

Family member Dr. Tony Sabila also confirmed Nation Sports that Cheptegei had died.

“It is true that we lost our sister this morning, even though the doctors tried to save her life and I was there personally,” Sabila said.

The Uganda Athletics Federation expressed its sadness on X (formerly known as Twitter), posting: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei this morning, who was tragically the victim of domestic violence.”

“As an association, we condemn such acts and demand justice. May her soul rest in peace,” the post concluded.

The update comes after Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said on Monday the attack took place during an argument between Cheptegei and her boyfriend Dickson Ndiema.

“The couple were heard arguing outside their home,” he told BBC journalists. “During the argument, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman and then burning her.”

Ndiemma also suffered severe burns in the fire. The two were put out by neighbors and taken to the MTRH for specialist treatment.

A local police report obtained by AP indicates that before the incident, the couple had been heard arguing over the land on which the house was being built.

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Kosiom said The standard“(Ndiema) is said to have sneaked into the property at around 2pm on Sunday while the woman and children were at church. When he returned, Dickson, who had procured petrol, began pouring it on Rebecca before setting her on fire.”

Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in August. She previously won gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in more than 170 languages.