The cause of death of Olympic marathoner Rebecca Cheptegei has been revealed. She was reportedly doused in petrol and set alight by her ex-boyfriend during an argument at her home over the weekend.
Cheptegei, who finished 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics last month, suffered burns over 80 percent of her body in Sunday’s brutal attack, medical officials said.
She was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, but was pronounced dead there in the early hours of Thursday morning at the age of 33.
Dr. Owen Menach, who oversaw Cheptegei’s treatment in the hospital’s intensive care unit, released a statement shortly after her death.
“It is sad that we lost the patient early this morning after all her organs failed around 5am while we were doing our utmost to save her life,” Menach said.
The cause of death of Rebecca Cheptegei (center) has been revealed by the doctor who treated her
Cheptegei (pictured in a Ugandan running vest) died of complete organ failure after she was allegedly doused with petrol and set alight by her ex-boyfriend during an argument on Sunday
Dr Tony Sabila, a relative, confirmed that he was at Cheptegei’s bedside when she passed away.
“It is true that we lost our sister this morning, despite the doctors trying to save her life and me being there personally,” he added.
Cheptegei’s death was confirmed four days after she was allegedly set on fire by her former partner, named by police as Dickson Ndiema.
Kenyan police confirmed that the runner was attacked at her home in the western Trans Nzoia County, near the Ugandan border, where she had recently moved to be closer to Kenya’s better training facilities.
Trans Nzoia County police chief Jeremiah Ole Kosiom said her former partner Dickson Ndiema bought a can of petrol, poured it over her and set her alight during a dispute on Sunday.
According to Kenyan newspaper The Nation, police found a five-liter jerry can, a bag and a burnt phone at the scene of the incident.
Rebecca’s father Joseph Cheptegei, who spoke from hospital earlier this week with his other daughter Evalyne Chelagat, claimed the two had a dispute over her land in Endebes in Trans-Nzoia shortly before the alleged attack.
“They were just friends and I wonder why he wanted to take my daughter’s things,” Cheptegei Snr said. The Starwhich also shows that his daughter’s two children were fathered by another man living in Uganda.
Cheptegei’s father, Joseph (pictured), said the alleged feud arose over a land dispute
Cheptegei’s sister burst into tears during a press conference following the alleged attack earlier this week
Cheptegei has since been pronounced dead at the age of 33, while her alleged attacker remains in hospital with 30 percent burns
He further alleged that Cheptegei and Ndiema – who he said have been separated for a long time – were involved in a case being investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) in Kenya.
According to Cheptegei Snr and Police Chief Kosiom, the ex-boyfriend sneaked into his daughter’s house to stage the attack.
“It is believed the friend sneaked into the compound around 2pm on Sunday while his wife and children were in church,” Kosiom said, according to Kenyan newspaper The Standard.
When he returned, Dickson, who had fetched gasoline, began pouring gasoline over Rebecca before setting her on fire.
‘The couple were heard arguing outside their home. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.
‘The suspect was also caught in the fire and suffered serious burns.’
According to Menach, the alleged ex-boyfriend who attacked him was also admitted to the same hospital where Cheptegei was treated. He has 30 percent burns.