The man accused of setting fire to Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died of his injuries less than a week after the attack.
Reports shocked the world last week when word of the horrifying incident spread. Cheptegei competed at the Paris Olympics, finishing 44th in the marathon event, but was allegedly attacked by ex-boyfriend Dickson Ndiema Marangach after returning home from church with her two daughters on September 5.
Harrowing reports claim that Marangach poured petrol on Cheptegei before setting her alight. Cheptegei succumbed to her injuries, having suffered burns to 80 percent of her body.
The Ugandan Athletics Federation announced the news of her death on Twitter, writing: “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.”
Five days later, it’s now claimed that Marangach has also died. He is said to have suffered burns to his own body in the process of his attack on Cheptegei, and a spokesperson for Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, in Eldoret in western Kenya, confirmed that he passed away at 7:50 p.m local time on Monday (September 9).
“He died from his injuries, the burns he sustained,” the spokesperson told Reuters.
Last week, local media reported that Marangach had suffered 30% burns to himself when he allegedly set Cheptegei on fire.
According to CNN, Cheptegei is the third elite sportswoman to be killed in Kenya since October 2021. The country draws international runners to train in the high-altitude highlands, though athletes are then at risk of exploitation and violence at the hands of men drawn to the potential prize money, which far exceeds local incomes.
Viola Cheptoo, co-founder of Tirop’s Angels, a support group for survivors of domestic violence in Kenya’s athletic community, said of 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.
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
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 5, 2024
Only yesterday did neighbors recall how they had attempted to save Cheptegei’s life when she emerged from her home on fire and screaming for help.
Agnes Barabara, who lives adjacent to Cheptegei’s home, 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.”