Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei died at the age of 33 after being set on fire by her boyfriend
Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei died at the age of 33 after being doused with gasoline and set on fire by her boyfriend, according to multiple reports.
“We are deeply saddened to announce early this morning the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, who was tragically a victim of domestic violence,” the Ugandan Athletics Federation shared via X on Thursday, September 5.
“As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace,” the post concludes.
Cheptegei was taken to hospital on Sunday, September 1, after an argument with her boyfriend. Dickson Ndiemaat her home in Kenya, it reported BBC and the Associated press.
Hollywood mourned many celebrities in 2024. Speed Racer star Christian Oliver (born Christian Klepser) died at the age of 51 in a fatal plane crash on January 5. Oliver was heading home from a Caribbean vacation with his two daughters — Madita and Annik, whom he shares with wife Jessica Klepser — on Jan. 4. […]
Dr. Owen MenachActing director of the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where Cheptegei was admitted, told local media that Cheptegei died on Wednesday, September 4 after all her organs failed. BBC And Sky News.
Donald Rukarethe President of the Uganda Olympic Committee, wrote via X Thursday: “We learned of the sad death of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei OLY after a vicious attack by her boyfriend.”
“May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that resulted in the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will live on,” Rukare added.
Police Commander of Trans Nzoia Province Jeremiah ole Kosiom previously said that Ndiema “bought a can of gasoline, poured it on her and set her on fire during a disagreement” that took place on Sunday, according to the AP.
“The couple was heard arguing outside their home,” Kosiom said, according to the BBC, which named Ndiema in their report as Cheptegei’s “former” boyfriend. “During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.”
Rebecca Cheptegei.
FERENC ISZA/AFP via Getty ImagesThe AP reported that Ndiema also suffered burns during the incident and both were taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, a city in Kenya.
Cheptegei competed as a long-distance and marathon runner for Uganda at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, finishing in 44th place.
The AP reported that she and Ndemia had argued over the land her house was built on. Cheptegei’s parents said the athlete bought land and moved to Trans Nzoia to continue her training.
After the incident, police commander Kosiom spoke with The standardwhich revealed that neighbors extinguished the fire before rushing Cheptegei and Ndiema to hospital. A “yellow five-liter jerry can, a bag and a black marvin” and “burnt cell phone” were reportedly collected from the scene for “forensic analysis,” Kosiom continued.
Before Cheptegei took part in the Olympic Games in Paris this year, she took part in several marathons. She ended 2022 with a fourth-place finish in the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, securing her spot at the Olympic Games. Cheptegei has been competing as a professional athlete since 2010, winning the Kampala 10,000-meter race in Kampala, Uganda that year.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can call the emergency room National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential assistance.
