Ugandan Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei who was doused in petrol has died.
Cheptegei died at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret (MTRH) where she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
MTRH acting director Owen Menach confirmed that Cheptgei died on the night of Thursday September 4 after all her organs failed.
“Unfortunately, we lost her after all her organs failed last night,” said Dr Menach.
The Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) also confirmed Cheptegei’s demise in a post on their official X account, calling for justice and stating, “She tragically fell victim to domestic violence.
“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,” reada the statement.
Cheptegei sustained 80 percent burn injuries after her alleged boyfriend doused her with petrol and set her on fire, according to an earlier update from the doctor.
“The patient had burns of 80 percent and is incubated, fully sedated due to the extent of the burns and she is in full support in terms of blood, water, medications, and breathing through a ventilator,” Dr Menach said.
MTRH Anesthesiologist and Critical Care Specialist Dr Josephat Kerema said that the athlete also sustained inhalation burns which affected her throat and airwaves and doctors were working to prevent a multi-organ failure.
Also Read: Family of Ugandan Athlete Doused in Petrol Speaks, Reveals Cause of Wrangles
How Rebecca Cheptegei was Doused in Petrol
Speaking during a visit to MTRH, the athlete’s father, Joseph Cheptegei said the marathoner was returning from church with her two children when she was targeted by the perpetrator identified as Dickson Ndiema.
He mentioned that Ndiema bought five liters of petrol in Endebess on Sunday September 1 and went to where Cheptegei lives, but they were at church at the time.
“When they returned, he began pouring petrol on the girl as she was running away. He poured it on her back before setting her ablaze,” Joseph Cheptegei said.
“She shouted to her younger sister to bring her a blanket, but the man tripped the girl and threatened her with a machete, causing her to run away.”
Father Reveals Cause of Wrangles
Cheptegei’s father also revealed that the two had been embroiled in a land tussle that had been reported at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) accusing the man of trying to defraud his child of her land.
Furthermore, he stated that this is not the first assault the suspect has had on his daughter, with previous fallouts being reported.
Also Read: Kelvin Kiptum & Other Kenyan Gold Winning Athletes Who Died in Their Prime
Joseph Cheptegei stated that his daughter chose to buy land in Kenya and build a house, as she conducted most of her training there while raising her two children.
He added that she later met Ndiema, and a friendship developed, leading to them staying together. However, differences eventually forced them to part ways.
“The two stayed together while my daughter trained in Kenya, but he is not her husband. After some time, disputes arose concerning properties, and we even have a case with the DCI,” said the father.
“She had just returned from the Olympics after representing Uganda in a marathon and had come to Kenya due to a case filed with the police, but now this unfortunate incident has occurred.”
The 33-year-old Olympian finished 44th in the Paris games. Previously, she won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022.
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