Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, tragically passed away on September 5, 2024, after suffering severe burns from an attack by her estranged partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach.
The incident occurred on September 1, when he allegedly doused her in petrol and set her on fire during a domestic dispute at her home, resulting in burns covering 75% of her body. READ FULL STORY
It has now emerged that the runner’s daughter tried to save her from the attack but Cheptegei’s attacker overpowered her.
Cheptegei is the mother of two children, aged nine and eleven, whose father is another man living in Uganda.
According to Daily Mail, reports indicate that one of Cheptegei’s daughters was at her mother’s home during the incident.
“He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother. I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible,” said the girl.
Cheptegei’s father, Joseph, characterized his daughter’s assailant as an ‘animal’ who subjected her to prolonged torment over several months before ultimately setting her on fire.
“Her attacker was a friend they met in Kenya and my daughter trusted him. They fell out recently but the suspect sneaked into her compound on Sunday afternoon, armed with five litres of petrol and hid in a poultry house.
“Rebecca was outside the house when the suspect appeared and immediately poured petrol on her before lighting the fire
“My daughter called for help by asking her sister who was in the home to bring a blanket to put off the fire but the suspect who was armed with a machete chased her away and Rebecca burnt,” he said.
As earlier reported on EAFeed, friends are now portraying a picture of a distressed and unsettled spirit of slain Ugandan long-distance runner, Rebecca Cheptegei.
According to a local publication, while preparing for the Paris Olympic Games in August, she experienced significant unrest due to her tumultuous relationship with Marangach, which ultimately compelled her to leave.
Ugandan marathon runner Stella Chesang, who trained alongside Cheptegei at their Olympic team camp in Kapchorwa, Eastern Uganda, noted that her friend frequently sought permission from the head coach to address personal matters.
“I realized every weekend Cheptegei would leave camp to rush home. Out of curiosity I asked her the reason and she told me that her two kids were staying alone because she had broken up with her boyfriend and she wanted to make sure they were doing well,” said Chesang.
Another close associate of Cheptegei, Ugandan marathoner Solomon Mutai said she had to relocate her training base twice in order to evade the relationship.
“This was her former boyfriend and he always misused her money. She stopped funding him and that is where her troubles started. When they broke up, Cheptegei came to Uganda and started training with us in Kapkoros, Bukwo District
“We talked with her and she told me that the man wanted to take away her land and house in Kinyoro in Trans Nzoia County and that a criminal case was being handled by the Kenyan Police. They were asked to present their bank statements to show who had really bought that land. They were to present the proof on Monday but then she was attacked on Sunday,” said Mutai.
