Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died after being doused with petrol and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend, a Ugandan official said.
The 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, who was competing in Paris, suffered severe burns after Sunday’s attack, the doctor who treated her said.
Authorities in northwestern Kenya, where Cheptegei lived and trained, said she was targeted after returning home from church.
A report from a local official alleged that the athlete and her ex-partner had a dispute over a piece of land. Police say an investigation is underway.
There are concerns over increasing cases of violence against female athletes in Kenya, several of which have resulted in deaths.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning, who was tragically a victim of domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace,” The Uganda Athletics Federation said in a statement on X.
Her family has not yet confirmed her death, but Dr Owen Menach, head of the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where she was admitted, told local media that the athlete died after all her organs failed.
Cheptegei’s ex-boyfriend was also hospitalized, but with less serious burns.
Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, told reporters earlier this week that he had been praying “for justice for my daughter” and that he had never seen such an inhumane act in his life.
Her death comes two years after the murders of her fellow East African athletes, Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua, whose partners are considered by authorities to be the main suspects in both cases.
Tirop’s husband is currently accused of murder, but he denies it. Meanwhile, the search continues for Mutua’s friend.
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