Ugandan runner Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, dies from injuries after being set on fire
Discover the heartbreaking story of Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, Uganda's marathon record holder, whose life was tragically taken in a shocking attack. Read on to honor her legacy and advocate for justice.
The National Olympics Committee (NOC) has joined others in mourning the death of former Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei. Cheptegei passed away on Wednesday at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where she was receiving treatment for burn injuries.
In a statement, NOC described her death as a "great loss." They sent their condolences to her family, friends, and the Ugandan sports community. Cheptegei was Uganda’s Women’s Marathon record holder and a Paris 2024 Olympian, and NOC praised her talent and perseverance. They also called for an end to gender-based violence in her honor.
Cheptegei's injuries came from an attack where her alleged boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, poured petrol on her and set her on fire. Doctors said her organs were badly damaged, and she was supposed to be flown to Nairobi for further treatment before she passed away.
Marangach also sustained burns during the attack and was admitted to the same hospital with 30% of his body burned. Neighbors heard the commotion and rescued both of them, taking them to the hospital in critical condition.
Cheptegei's father, Mzee Joseph Cheptegei, clarified that the two were only friends and had been arguing over her land in Endebes, Trans Nzoia, where the incident happened. He said they had a case under investigation, and Cheptegei, who had two children with another man from Uganda, had been separated from Marangach for a long time. Marangach allegedly snuck into her home on Sunday to carry out the attack.
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