The man accused of setting fire to Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died from his injuries less than a week after the attack, shocking the world.
Last week, reports of the horrific incident spread quickly. Cheptegei, who had just competed in the Paris Olympics and finished 44th in the marathon, was allegedly attacked by her ex-boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, after returning home from church with her two daughters on September 5.
Witnesses say Marangach poured petrol on Cheptegei and set her alight. She suffered burns covering 80 percent of her body and succumbed to her injuries.
The Ugandan Athletics Federation shared the tragic news on Twitter, saying: “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.”
Just five days later, Marangach has also died. He reportedly sustained burns during the attack on Cheptegei. A spokesperson for Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, confirmed Marangach’s death at 7:50 p.m. local time on September 9. “He died from his injuries, the burns he sustained,” the spokesperson told Reuters.
Local media reported that Marangach had suffered 30% burns himself while carrying out the attack.
According to CNN, Cheptegei is the third elite female athlete to be killed in Kenya since October 2021. The country attracts international runners for its high-altitude training, but these athletes often face exploitation and violence from those drawn to the potential prize money, which far exceeds local incomes.
Viola Cheptoo, co-founder of Tirop’s Angels, a support group for domestic violence survivors in Kenya’s athletic community, reacted to Marangach’s death: “Justice really would have been for him to sit in jail and think about what he had done. This is not positive news whatsoever.”
Very sad news.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 5, 2024
Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died days after being doused in petrol and set on fire by a former boyfriend, a Ugandan official says. pic.twitter.com/4J3gMekJTU
Just yesterday, neighbors remembered the desperate moments when Cheptegei emerged from her home on fire, screaming for help. Agnes Barabara, who lives next to Cheptegei, told the BBC: “When I came out, I saw Rebecca running towards my house on fire, shouting: ‘Help me.’ As I went to look for water and started calling out for help, her assailant appeared again and doused more petrol on her.”
