The tragic story of Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei has shocked the world. The man accused of setting her on fire, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, has died from his injuries less than a week after the attack.
Last week, the news spread fast and horrified many. Cheptegei, who had just competed in the Paris Olympics and finished 44th in the marathon, was allegedly attacked by her ex-boyfriend, Marangach, after returning home from church with her two daughters on September 5.
Reports say that Marangach poured petrol on Cheptegei and set her ablaze. She suffered burns over 80 percent of her body and tragically died from her injuries.
The Ugandan Athletics Federation announced her death 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, the news came that Marangach had also died. It’s reported that he sustained burns to 30 percent of his own body during the attack. 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, stating: “He died from his injuries, the burns he sustained,” as reported by Reuters.
Local media previously reported that Marangach had burned himself while attacking Cheptegei.
According to CNN, Cheptegei is the third top female athlete to be killed in Kenya since October 2021. While Kenya attracts international runners for its high-altitude training, these athletes are at risk of exploitation and violence from those seeking the lucrative prize money, which is much higher than local earnings.
Viola Cheptoo, co-founder of Tirop’s Angels, a support group for survivors of domestic violence in Kenya’s athletic community, commented on 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
Neighbors have shared their desperate efforts to save Cheptegei. 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.”