OLYMPIC athlete Rebecca Cheptegei’s daughter desperately tried to save lots of her mum as she was allegedly set on fireplace by her ex-partner.
The marathon runner, 33, died from organ failure after her former boyfriend reportedly snuck into her dwelling and lay in wait earlier than dousing her in petrol and setting her alight.
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Native officers named Dickson Ndiema as her alleged attacker, with stories suggesting the pair had been locked in a bitter land dispute.
He reportedly let himself into Cheptegei’s dwelling on Sunday whereas she was at church along with her two youngsters, aged 9 and 11.
Cops mentioned he set her alight throughout an argument, leaving her with horror burns over greater than 75 per cent of her physique as she was rushed to hospital on Sunday afternoon.
Considered one of Cheptegei’s unnamed daughters instructed Kenyan paper The Commonplace: “‘He kicked me whereas I attempted to run to the rescue of my mom.”
Describing the harrowing incident, she mentioned: “I instantly cried out for assist, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, nevertheless it was not potential.”
Cheptegei’s emotional dad Joseph and sister Evalyne spoke to journalists at a press convention this week and expressed their hopes for justice.
Joseph mentioned: “The felony who harmed my daughter is a assassin and I’m but to see what the safety officers are doing.
“He’s nonetheless free and may even flee.”
Joseph additionally instructed press that Cheptegei’s youngsters usually are not fathered by the person who allegedly killed her.
He beforehand described Ndiema as an “animal” who tormented his daughter for months earlier than the horrific alleged assault.
Joseph corroborated police statements that the pair had lately been arguing over a plot of land she purchased in Endebess, Trans Nzoia county.
He instructed The Star: “They had been simply pals and I ponder why he needed to remove issues belonging to my daughter.”
Performing director on the Moi Instructing and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, Dr Owen Menach, confirmed she died on Wednesday night from organ failure after a number of days in intensive care.
Ndiema allegedly used a matchstick to set Cheptegei alight and was additionally engulfed by flames, Nation Africa stories.
He’s reportedly being handled in hospital with burns throughout 30 per cent of his physique.
Trans Nzoia is a area in Kenya, some 400km northwest of Nairobi.
Cheptegei, from Uganda, had bought land there to be nearer to Kenya’s athletic coaching services.
The Ugandan Athletics Federation learn: “We’re deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell sufferer to home violence.
“As a federation, we condemn such acts and name for justice.
“Could her soul relaxation In Peace.”
In the meantime World Athletics president Lord Coe mentioned: “Our sport has misplaced a proficient athlete in essentially the most tragic and unthinkable circumstances.
“Rebecca was an extremely versatile runner who nonetheless had tons left to offer on the roads, mountains and cross nation trails.”
He mentioned the organisation is investigating how their “safeguarding insurance policies is perhaps enhanced to incorporate abuse outdoors of the game”.
Inside Rebecca Cheptegei’s athletic profession
By Ellie Doughty, International Information Reporter
Rebecca Cheptegei, who has died aged 33, was a Ugandan cross nation, lengthy distance and marathon runner.
She had represented Uganda at world competitions since 2010 together with the IAAF World Cross Nation Championships, World Mountain and Path Operating Championships and World Athletics Championships.
In 2022, she received gold within the mountain race on the inaugural World Mountain and Path Operating Championships in Thailand.
Cheptegei additionally received the Padova marathon in Italy that 12 months, earlier than ending second within the Abu Dhabi marathon in simply over two hours and 20 minutes – the second quickest time by a feminine Ugandan.
She completed 14th within the marathon eventually 12 months’s World Championships in Budapest.
Cheptegei most lately competed within the Paris 2024 Olympics within the ladies’s marathon race.
She completed in forty fourth place in simply two hours and 32 minutes.
In accordance with native stories, Cheptegei had two youngsters.
She had lately moved to Trans Nzoia County to be nearer to Kenya’s athletic coaching services.
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How one can get assist
Ladies’s Assist has this recommendation for victims and their households:
In case you are a sufferer of home abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s e mail help service is open weekdays and weekends throughout the disaster – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Ladies’s Assist offers a dwell chat service – accessible weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You may also name the freephone 24-hour Nationwide Home Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
