Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died a few days after being doused with petrol and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend, a Ugandan official has said.
The 33-year-old Ugandan runner, who competed in Paris, was badly burned after Sunday’s attack, the doctor who treated him said.
Authorities in northwestern Kenya, where Cheptegei lived and trained, said he was targeted after returning from church.
The report filed by the property manager alleges that the athlete and his ex-partner were arguing about the property. Police say the investigation is ongoing.
There is concern over the increasing number of cases of violence against female athletes in Kenya, many of which have resulted in death.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing away of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning which was a tragic attack on the family. As a federation, we condemn such acts and ask for justice. May her soul rest in peace,” The Uganda Athletics Federation said in X’s post.
The family has not confirmed his death but Dr Owen Menach, the head of the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where he was admitted, told the media that the athlete died after all his organs failed.
Cheptegei’s ex-boyfriend was also hospitalized – but with minor burns.
Speaking to journalists, at the beginning of the week, her father, Joseph Cheptegei, said he prayed for “justice for my daughter”, adding that he had never seen such an inhuman act in his life.
His death comes two years after the killing of East African athletes, Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua, and their colleagues were identified as prime suspects in both cases by the authorities.
Tirop’s husband is currently facing murder charges, which he denies, and he continues to search for Mutua’s boyfriend.
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