Rebecca Cheptegei’s former partner Dickson Ndiema has died in hospital after injuring himself while allegedly setting the Olympics star on fire.
Last week, Ugandan athlete Cheptegei had tragically died four days after suffering burns to 80 per cent of her body.
She was allegedly attacked after returning to Kenya, where she moved to, after the Olympics in Paris over the summer.
Her former boyfriend Ndiema was alleged to have been waiting for her before pouring a can of petrol on her and setting her alight.
Rebecca Cheptegei has died at the age of 33, leaving two young children behind
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Cheptegei was 33 years old and held the national record in marathon running and was also a former world champion in mountain running.
According to Nation Africa, Ndiema has now also died after burning himself in the process.
He spent several days in intensive care at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in western Kenya before losing his life on Monday.
Reports say that Cheptegei and Ndiema had argued over land ownership before the ex boyfriend let himself into her home while she was at church with his two children.
As the two quarrelled further in the house, Ndiema then allegedly set her on fire before the two were rushed to hospital with severe burns.
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The former boyfriend of Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died in hospital
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“The suspect was also caught by the fire and sustained serious burns.”
The runner’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, said earlier this week that he was praying “for justice for my daughter”, adding that she and her alleged attacker were “just friends”.
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Rebecca Cheptegei suffered burns to 80 per cent of her body
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“I wonder why he wanted to take away things belonging to my daughter,” he added.