Rebecca Cheptegei, the Ugandan Olympian who was tragically set on fire by a former boyfriend, has passed away.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence,” the Uganda Athletics Federation shared on X. “As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.”
The 33-year-old marathon runner had recently returned to northwest Kenya after competing in the Paris Olympics. Reports indicate that Cheptegei had bought a plot of land in Trans Nzoia County and built a house to be closer to Kenya’s top athletics training centers.
According to police reports, her ex-boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, assaulted her on Sunday following an argument about the property. Ndiema allegedly poured gasoline on Cheptegei, a mother of two, before setting her on fire.
She sustained burns to over 75% of her body.
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🇺🇬🇺🇬 UAF (@UgaAthletics2) September 5, 2024
Cheptegei was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for treatment of her burns. Despite medical efforts, her severe burns led to multi-organ failure, which tragically resulted in her death this morning at 05:30 [02:30 GMT].
Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, addressed the local media outside the hospital, urging the Kenyan government to ensure justice is served.
Femicide.
Rest in Peace Rebecca Cheptegei. We are so so sorry 💔 pic.twitter.com/J0BbPYYWdS
— Lillz (@LillzTIL) September 5, 2024
“We have lost our breadwinner,” he said, expressing concern about how her children will continue their education now that their mother is no longer with them.
James Kirwa, a fellow Ugandan athlete, visited Rebecca in the hospital and shared with the BBC how supportive she was to other athletes.
“She was a very affable person,” Kirwa said, “She helped us all even financially and she brought me training shoes when she came back from the Olympics. She was like an older sister to me.”
Ndiema was also admitted to the hospital but with less severe burns and is reportedly making progress. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
