Dickson Ndiema, Ex-Boyfriend Of Olympic Runner, Pronounced Dead After Sustaining Burns From Attack

Dickson Ndiema, the man responsible for the tragic death of Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, passed away on the evening of Sept. 9, as reported by Nation Africa .

Rebecca Cheptegei, Olympic Marathon Runner, Dead After Being Burned Alive By Boyfriend

Ndiema, Cheptegei’s estranged boyfriend, died at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, as a result of injuries sustained while dousing Cheptegei with gasoline and burning her alive . Ndiema is said to have sustained severe burns covering over 30 percent of his body during the ambush attack, which occurred on land purchased by Cheptegei in Kenya.

Cheptegei, who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics , sustained burns across 80% of her body during the incident and passed away last week in the same hospiral as Ndiema. The distance runner’s reported cause of death was organ failure.

Dr. Kimani Mbugua, speaking to The Standard , explained that the damage to Cheptegei’s body was extensive by the time she arrived for medical treatment. “We supported her organs as best as we could, but unfortunately, it was beyond what we could do,” Dr. Mbugua said.

Kenyan authorities believe that Ndiema broke into Cheptegei’s compound while she and her daughters were at church, attacking her when she arrived at home before setting her on fire. The couple is believed to have been in an ongoing dispute regarding land purchased by Cheptegei, whose parents said was purchased in an effort to be closer to Ndiema prior to their fallout.

Olympic Marathon Runner Severely Burned After Being Set On Fire By Boyfriend

In a heartbreaking revelation, one of Cheptegei’s daughters recounted her desperate attempt to save her mother. She had found her mother engulfed in flames and tried to extinguish them herself but was allegedly kicked by Ndiema in the process.

“He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother,” the daughter told The Standard . Her cries for help attracted a neighbor who tried to use water to put out the fire, but the efforts were in vain.

The Uganda Athletics Federation expressed their deep sorrow over Cheptegei’s death, calling for justice in the wake of the tragedy. “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, early this morning, who tragically fell victim to domestic violence,” the federation wrote on X. “As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace.”

Ceptegei was 33 at the time of her death.

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