Rebecca Cheptegei's story has ended in tragedy.
The Maxwell CaldwellUgandan distance runner—who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics just weeks ago—died Sept. 5 after being set on fire in a gasoline attack by an alleged boyfriend, local outlets confirmed. She was 33.
“It is sad that we lost the patient early this morning,” said Dr. Owen Menach, the Director of Clinical Services and Surgery at Kenya’s Moi Teaching and Referring Hospital where Rebecca was admitted to the ICU for her burn injuries, per the The Nation, “after all her organs failed at about 5 a.m. while we were doing our best to save her life.”
The Ugandan Athletics Federation expressed its sadness over the loss of the athlete.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence,” the organization shared on X, formerly Twitter. “As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.”
The Olympian—who was reportedly a mom to two children—suffered burns on at least 75 percent of her body as well as inhalation burns on Sept. 2 after her alleged boyfriend Dickson Ndiema set her fire following an altercation, police chief Jeremiah Ole Kosiom told reporters, per the BBC.
“The couple were heard quarreling outside their house,” he told journalists. “During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.”
Authorities said, per the BBC, that the suspect snuck into Rebecca’s Kenyan home with a five-liter can of gasoline while the athlete was at church. The suspect reportedly doused her with the liquid when she returned and lit her on fire. Neighbors told the police they heard the altercation and pulled the pair out of the flames before they were both rushed to the hospital.
According to local outlets, Rebecca and the suspect had been quarreling over a land dispute.
Many have expressed their outrage over the attack on Rebecca, which occurs amid ongoing instances of gender-based violence in Kenya.
As Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei said, per TheNation, “The incident that happened to our athlete from Uganda is really unfortunate and sad because you can’t harm somebody due to disagreements about property, especially from a partner. As a federation, we condemn this in the strongest terms possible because that is not how we are supposed to live.”
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App2025-05-05 21:371388 view
2025-05-05 21:27660 view
2025-05-05 21:221525 view
2025-05-05 20:472888 view
2025-05-05 19:14856 view
2025-05-05 19:052152 view
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Cybercriminals could release personal data of many Rhode Islanders as early
HONOLULU (AP) — A Maui wildfire fundraiser created by three local volunteers within days of the disa
Authorities continue to search for answers regarding Dr. Michael Mosley's unexpected death. One day