The Olympian from Uganda, Rebecca Cheptegei, who was killed by her ex-boyfriend, has passed away.
The Uganda Athletics Federation tweeted on X, “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete
Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically fell victim to domestic violence early this morning.”
As a federation, we demand justice and denounce such behavior. May peace be upon her soul.
After competing in the Olympics in Paris, the 33-year-old marathon runner had just lately returned to his native northwest Kenya. Cheptegei reportedly bought a piece of property in Trans Nzoia County and constructed a home there to be nearer to Kenya’s top training facilities for athletes.
According to police sources, she was beaten on Sunday by her ex-boyfriend Dickson Ndiema following an argument between the two over the parcel of land. The mother of two, Cheptegei, was allegedly drenched in gasoline by Ndiema, who then set her on fire.
Over 75 percent of her body was burned.
The Olympian from Uganda, Rebecca Cheptegei, who was killed by her ex-boyfriend, has passed away.
The Uganda Athletics Federation announced on X, “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically fell victim to domestic violence early this morning.” As a federation, we demand justice and denounce such behavior. May peace be upon her soul.
Though the Olympian “had a severe percentage of burns, which unfortunately led to multi-organ failure, which ultimately led to her passing this morning at 05:30 [02:30 GMT],” Cheptegei was taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and treated for her wounds.
Speaking to the local media outside the hospital, her father, Joseph Cheptegei, urged the Kenyan government to see to it that justice was done.
“We have lost our breadwinner,” he remarked, expressing concern for her children’s ability to finish their education in the wake of their mother’s passing
When James Kirwa, another athlete from Uganda, paid Rebecca a visit in the hospital, he told the BBC how supportive Rebecca was of other athletes.
She “was a very friendly individual. When she returned from the Olympics, she got me training shoes and helped us all out financially. To me, she resembled an elder sister.
Ndiema was also hospitalized, but her burns were not as bad, and she is reportedly getting better. An inquiry is still underway.