Rebecca Cheptegei Dies After Ex-Boyfriend Sets Her on Fire During Argument

Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan long-distance runner, has succumbed to her injuries on Thursday, 5 September 2024 following a horrific attack by her former boyfriend, Dickson Marangach. According to The Guardian, Marangach allegedly set Cheptegei on fire during a violent confrontation at her home in Endebess town, Trans-Nzoia county, Kenya. This attack resulted in severe burns that covered more than 80% of her body.

Suffered Multiple Organ Failures

The attack occurred on a Sunday afternoon (1 September 2024), four days prior to her death. In a tragic turn of events, Marangach reportedly poured petrol on Cheptegei and ignited it. Despite urgent medical intervention at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Cheptegei’s extensive burns led to multiple organ failure, ultimately resulting in her death.

Land Ownership Dispute

The violence appears to have stemmed from a long-standing dispute between Cheptegei and Marangach over land ownership. Witnesses reported that the argument had escalated significantly, culminating in the attack. This dispute, coupled with a history of tension between the couple, appears to have triggered the tragic incident.

Promising Career Cut Short

Rebecca Cheptegei was a rising star in Ugandan athletics, representing her country at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She finished 44th in the women’s marathon, demonstrating her skill and dedication to the sport.

Her personal best marathon time of 2:22:47, achieved at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Marathon, had earned her recognition and respect in the athletics community. Her untimely death represents a significant loss to both Ugandan sports and the international athletics community. Additionally, the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) released a statement expressing their heartfelt condolences.

Cheptegei’s death has shocked and saddened the athletics community in Uganda and Kenya. Her death has been met with widespread grief, as well as a call for greater attention to the issues of violence and safety in sports.

Similar Cases

Cheptegei’s death shows a troubling pattern of violence against female athletes in Kenya. Similar cases have occurred in recent years, such as the murder of Kenyan long-distance runner Agnes Tirop in 2021 and the strangulation of Damaris Mutua in 2022.