{"id":8053,"date":"2024-09-05T14:01:31","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T14:01:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kohajone.press\/?p=8053"},"modified":"2024-09-05T14:01:32","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T14:01:32","slug":"olympic-runner-rebecca-cheptegei-dies-days-after-being-set-on-fire-by-boyfriend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kohajone.press\/?p=8053","title":{"rendered":"Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei dies days after being \u2018set on fire by boyfriend\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

According to a Ugandan official, Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei\u2019s ex-boyfriend is suspected of dousing her in petrol and setting her on fire<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ugandan long-distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei has passed away at the age of 33, days after being \u2018set on fire\u2019 by an ex-boyfriend.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Sunday (September 1), Cheptegei \u2013 who finished 44th in the marathon at the\u00a02024 Paris Olympics\u00a0\u2013 was attacked at her house in the western Trans Nzoia County after returning home from church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom alleged Cheptegei\u2019s former boyfriend poured a can of petrol on her and\u00a0set her alight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ugandan<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ugandan runner Rebecca Cheptegei has passed away (FERENC ISZA\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ugandan Athletics Federation reported the attack on\u00a0social media, stating: \u201cWe regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalised at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire on her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kosiam\u00a0added\u00a0to the Standard newspaper in Kenya: \u201cThe couple were heard quarrelling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe suspect was also caught by the fire and sustained serious burns.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The athlete was rushed to hospital and began receiving treatment for burns which covered 75 percent of her body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, sadly, the head of the hospital, Dr Owen Menach, has since confirmed to local media the athlete has passed away, with the Ugandan Athletics Federation taking to Twitter <\/a>to confirm the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"An<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An investigation into Rebecca Cheptegei\u2019s death is underway (Jiang Qiming\/China News Service\/VCG via Getty Images)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It stated: \u201cBREAKING NEWS. We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not taken long for others to offer their condolences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One user said: \u201cMay her soul RIP, Condolence to the Family ,Atheletics Community and Ugandans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDear Ugandans, and to her family, we are sorry. This is heartbreaking,\u201d another added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A third commented: \u201cMay her soul rest in peace as the person who Brought her to this face the courts of law \u2026..\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cheptegei\u2019s family also spoke out earlier this week, with her father Joseph saying he prayed \u2018for justice for [his] daughter\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An investigation into Cheptegei\u2019s passing is underway, police say.<\/p>\n

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