Olympic champion Rebecca Cheptegei from Uganda succumbed to serious burns she suffered after her femicide-committing partner doused her with gasoline and set her on fire following a dispute they had on Sunday.
The 33-year-old marathon runner was rushed to a hospital in Kenya where she was receiving treatment.
The Uganda Athletics Federation posted on X: “We have learned of the sad death of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei after a brutal attack by her partner. May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to exist.”
Speaking to the Kenyan news agency The Star, Dr. Owen Menach, deputy director of the hospital where Cheptegei was treated, stated that “we lost her after all her organs failed” on Wednesday evening.
Trans Nzoia County police commander, Jeremiah ole Kosiom, said on Monday that Cheptegei’s boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, purchased a container of gasoline, poured it on her, and set her on fire during an argument on Sunday.
Ndiema also suffered burns and was admitted to the same hospital, the police reported.