Olympic Athlete Dies At 33 After Horrifying Incident

An Olympic marathon runner was killed on Thursday in a brutal display of domestic violence by her boyfriend just weeks after she returned home from Paris.

Rebecca Cheptegei of Uganda was just 33 years old when her boyfriend poured gasoline on her and set her on fire during a visit to her home in Kenya. She died around 5 a.m. local time, according to People Magazine. Emergency medics who responded to the scene reported that Cheptegei had suffered severe burns to 75 percent of her body following the attack at her home in Trans Nzoia County the night of Sunday, September 1st. Global outlets reported she passed away after several dates in intensive care.

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Dr. Owen Menach, who is the Director of Clinical Services and Surgery at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, confirmed that Cheptegei died of organ failure despite his team’s best efforts. Dr. Tony Sabila, a family member, also confirmed her death. “It is true that we lost our sister this morning although the doctors tried to save her life and I was there personally,” Sabila said.

In a tribute post on X, the Ugandan Athlete Foundation expressed condolences to Cheptegei’s family for her untimely death. “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence,” the group wrote on Thursday. “As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.”

BREAKING NEWS💔💔
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. pic.twitter.com/ZdxmZ3wDuE

— Uganda Athletics Federation (@UgaAthletics2) September 5, 2024

During a press conference on Monday, Trans Nzoia County Police Commander, Jeremiah ole Kosiom, told local reporters that Cheptegei and her boyfriend were involved in some kind of quarrel or domestic dispute before the violence occurred. “The couple were heard quarreling outside their house,” he told journalists, per the BBC. “During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.” Neighbors who helped Cheptegei make her way to intensive care reported hearing the two arguing over disputed land where her home stands. “[Ndiema] is believed to have sneaked into the compound at around 2:00 p.m. on Sunday while the wife and the children were in Church. Upon returning, Dickson, who had procured petrol, began pouring it on Rebecca before he set her ablaze,” Kosiom said at the time.

Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics in August and was a high-flying member of the ultra-endurance community. Before punching her ticket to Paris, the 33-year-old had won a gold medal at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022.

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