Rebecca Cheptegei’s Alleged Killer Dies From Burns Inflicted During Assault

Ugandan Olympic marathoner Rebecca Cheptegei died from “full organ failure” just four days after a shocking and brutal assault at the hands of her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema.

Reports revealed that Ndiema allegedly set her on fire at their home in Trans Nzoia County, western Kenya, after dousing her with gasoline. The horrific attack left Cheptegei with severe burns covering 75% of her body.

Days after Rebecca Cheptegei passed away, her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, also died.

Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital confirmed her death, with spokesperson Owen Menach stating that Cheptegei succumbed to organ failure. The tragic end of her life has sent shockwaves through the sports community and beyond.

“We have learnt of the sad passing of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei following a vicious attack by her boyfriend,” Donald Rukare, head of the Uganda Olympic Committee, announced on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”

As The Blast reported, the assault, which left Cheptegei with severe burns covering 75% of her body, took place at their home in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya.

Dickson Ndiema, the former partner accused of setting Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei on fire, has also died from injuries sustained in the attack. He was pronounced dead on Monday, September 9, at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya.

According to a statement from the hospital obtained by The New York Times, Ndiema succumbed to respiratory failure caused by severe airway burns.

Cheptegei, a mother of two, had recently returned from church with her daughters on Sunday, September 1, when an argument erupted between her and Ndiema over the land where their home was built. This heated dispute is believed to have sparked the tragic events that led to both of their deaths.

“I have a lot of grief because I’ve lost my daughter,” Joseph Cheptegei told reporters, per People Magazine. “I seek your help so that this person who has killed my daughter can be prosecuted.”

“As it is now, the criminal who harmed my daughter is a murderer and I am yet to see what the security officials are doing,” he added. “He is still free and might even flee.”

Cheptegei is not the only Ugandan athlete to have experienced violence in recent years.

In April 2022, the body of fellow runner Damaris Mutua was found in a home in Iten, Rift Valley, with a pillow over her face, and reports indicated she had been strangled.

The murder of record-breaking long-distance runner Agnes Tirop, who was discovered stabbed to death in Iten, occurred just months prior.

Organizers of the Paralympic Games paid tribute to Ms. Cheptegei in Paris on Sunday, following the marathon events. Paris will honor the Ugandan runner by naming a sports venue in her memory, as announced by the city’s mayor, Anne Hidalgo. “Paris will not forget her,” Hidalgo stated, per The New York Times.

Police have confirmed that an investigation is underway.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.