Rebecca Cheptegei, an Olympic marathon runner, has died in hospital after being the victim of a petrol attack at her home by her ex-boyfriend, reportedly over a land dispute, according to Kenya Police.
The tragic incident, which occurred on Sunday, left Rebecca with 80% burns. The ex-boyfriend, who sustained 30% burns, is currently receiving treatment in the same hospital where Rebecca died.
Dr. Owen Menach, the acting director of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya, confirmed that Cheptegei passed away on Wednesday night in the intensive care unit.
“Unfortunately, we lost her after all her organs failed last night,” Menach said, as reported by the Kenyan newspaper The Star.
The hospital is expected to provide a full report later today.
Cheptegei recently competed in the Paris Olympics, representing her country, and had returned to Kenya after the tournament.
The father of the deceased stated that his daughter was no longer in a relationship with the suspect and that Cheptegei’s two daughters were fathered by another man.
“They were just friends, and I wonder why he wanted to take away my daughter’s belongings,” her father said.
According to Cheptegei’s father and Police Commander Kosiom, the ex-boyfriend snuck into her home to carry out the attack.
“The boyfriend is believed to have entered the compound around 2 p.m. on Sunday while the wife and children were at church,” Kosiom said, as reported by the Kenyan newspaper The Standard.
“Upon her return, Dickson, who had procured petrol, began pouring it on Rebecca before setting her ablaze.
“The couple was heard quarreling outside the house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring liquid on the woman before igniting it.
“The suspect was also caught by the fire and sustained serious burns.”
