Olympic Marathon Runner Rebecca Cheptegei Dies After Being Set on Fire in Gasoline Attack by Boyfriend

Mar. 15, 2025

On Thursday, Sept. 5, it was reported Cheptegei had died from her injuries, per local outlets theDaily Nation,The StandardandThe Star.

Per theNation, Dr. Owen Menach, who is the Director of Clinical Services and Surgery at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, confirmed the sad news, announcing the athlete died at around 5 a.m. local time from “full organ failure.”

Family member, Dr. Tony Sabila, also confirmed toNation Sportthat Cheptegei had died.

“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.

Rebecca Cheptegei.Alamy

Alamy

The Uganda Athletics Federation led tributeson X(formerly known as Twitter), posting, “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,” the post concluded.

The update comes after Trans Nzoia County Police Commander, Jeremiah ole Kosiom, said Monday that the attack happened during a dispute between Cheptegei and her boyfriend Dickson Ndiema.

Rebecca Cheptegei at the Discovery 10km road race in Kapchorwa, Uganda Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.AP Photo

AP Photo

“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.”

Rebecca Cheptegei at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.FERENC ISZA/AFP via Getty

FERENC ISZA/AFP via Getty

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Kosiom toldThe Standard, “[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.”

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

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

source: people.com