Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei dies after being burned with gasoline by her boyfriend

Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan athlete, died at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, after suffering severe burns following an attack by her partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach.

What the medical report said

Dr Owen Menach, acting director of the hospital, said: “Unfortunately we lost her after all her organs failed last night.” Cheptegei was admitted with burns covering 80% of her body after the alleged attacker attacked her last Sunday in Kenya’s Trans Nzoia county.

The Uganda Athletics Federation has issued a statement

The Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) confirmed the tragic news and expressed its condemnation of the act of domestic violence that led to the death of the athlete. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the UAF mourned the passing of Cheptegei, stressing: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, early this morning, who was tragically a victim of domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace.”.

How did the attack happen?

The attack occurred as Cheptegei was returning home after attending church with his children. Marangach, who also suffered severe burns on 30% of his body, He broke into the house with a can of gasoline and threw the fuel on her before setting it on fire.

The athlete’s parents, Joseph Cheptegei and Agnes Ndiema, expressed their deep sadness and anguish at the loss of their daughter, who had been helping the family financially and had invested in a property in Kenya for her training. “I have lost a daughter who has been helping me in many ways,” said Joseph Cheptegei, calling on authorities to speed up investigations and ensure Marangach is arrested and prosecuted.

Kenyan Secretary of State for Sport Peter Tum said efforts were underway to transfer Cheptegei to Nairobi for specialist treatment. “Efforts are being made to ensure that the athlete admitted in Eldoret is flown to Nairobi for specialist treatment following the unfortunate incident,” Tum said.

Cheptegei, who had competed in various races since 2010 and participated in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, where he finished in forty-fourth position, leaves a tragic legacy and a void in the sporting world and in his family.