Ugandan athlete Cheptegei, who ran in the marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympics, had been pronounced dead earlier this month after being doused in petrol and set on fire.
She was rushed to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, but died on 5 September as a result of the serious and horrific injuries she suffered.
The man identified as the alleged attacker was Dickson Ndiema, an ex-boyfriend of the Olympic athlete, who also sustained burn injuries in the attack.
Reuters reports that they were told by Daniel Lang'at, a spokesperson at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, that Dickson Ndiema Marangach had died yesterday (9 September).
They said: "He died from his injuries, the burns he sustained."
Rebecca Cheptegei was an Olympic athlete for Uganda, and died after being set on fire. (Jiang Qiming/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)Cheptegei was attacked on 1 September and suffered burns over more than 75 percent of her body, while Reuters reports that her alleged killer 'suffered 30 percent burns'.
She had been returning home after going to church with her children, and four days later the hospital announced: "Unfortunately, we lost her after all her organs failed."
A local police report said that Cheptegei had been confronted by Ndemia and had been arguing over a piece of land when the man allegedly doused the woman in petrol and set her alight.
"The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house," local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom said in a statement.
"During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her."
Dickson Ndemia was facing allegations of burning his ex-girlfriend to death, and he has now died from burns he sustained. (Facebook)The Olympic athlete's father told The Star his daughter knew her killer, and the two of them had allegedly been due to appear before the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kitale, Kenya, over a land dispute.
He said: "They were just friends and I wonder why he wanted to take away things belonging to my daughter.
"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."Featured Image Credit: FERENC ISZA/AFP via Getty Images Facebook
Updated 09:55 5 Sep 2024 GMT+1Published 08:00 5 Sep 2024 GMT+1
Olympic marathon runner dies in hospital days after being 'set on fire by boyfriend'
Rebecca Cheptegei had competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics
Ugandan marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died after an alleged petrol attack by her former boyfriend at her home in Kenya.
According to local news reports, Cheptegei, 33, had been doused in petrol and set alight by her ex-boyfriend Dickson Ndiema outside her home in the Trans Nzoia County of Kenya.
A local police report added that Cheptegei had returned home after attending church with her children on Sunday (1 September) when Ndiema confronted her. The couple were said to be arguing over a piece of land when her ex-partner allegedly poured petrol on Cheptegei and set her alight.
"The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house," local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom said in a statement.
"During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her."
(Jiang Qiming/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)It's reported that neighbours had rushed to the scene to help extinguish the flames before Cheptegei was taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital with 75% burns, where Dr Owen Menach confirmed her passing to local media.
"Unfortunately, we lost her after all her organs failed," he told Kenyan press (via BBC).
Ndiema was also admitted to hospital with less extensive burns. A police investigation into her death is currently underway.
Cheptegei had begun her career as a marathon runner back in 2010, finishing 14th at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. She had also competed at the Paris 2024 Olympics, representing Uganda in the women's marathon where she finished in 44th place.
The Ugandan Athletics Federation has now shared a tribute to Cheptegei on social media, writing: "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace."
"May her soul RIP, Condolence to the Family, Atheletics Community and Ugandans," one user replied to the post, while another added: "Dear Ugandans, and to her family, we are sorry. This is heartbreaking."
BREAKING NEWS💔💔 We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.
Meanwhile Kenyan newspaper The Standard has reportedly spoken to one of Cheptegei's daughters who witnessed the attack and tried to intervene.
"He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother," the girl, who has not been named, is quoted as saying (via Metro).
"I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible."
Cheptegei's father Joseph Cheptegei has also spoken out other the attack, telling reporters earlier in the week that he was praying 'for justice for [his] daughter'.Featured Image Credit: Uganda Athletics Federation/FERENC ISZA/AFP via Getty Images
Updated 14:38 5 Sep 2024 GMT+1Published 14:20 5 Sep 2024 GMT+1
Ex-boyfriend ‘who set Olympic runner on fire' pictured for first time as daughter reveals heartbreaking details
Rebecca Cheptegei competed in the women's marathon for Uganda at the 2024 Olympic games
Photos of the ex-boyfriend accused of being responsible for the death of Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei have been revealed by media for the first time.
The tragic event happened in front of the eyes of her daughter, as the 33-year-old suffered burns to 80 percent of her body in an attack on 1 September.
Following the incident, the Ugandan Olympian was rushed to the intensive care unit at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, but Dr Owen Menach, the acting director at the facility, confirmed that the sportswoman died early this morning (5 September), saying: "It is sad that we lost the patient early this morning after all organs failed at about 5am while we were doing our best to save her life."
Cheptegei competed at this summer's games. (AFP via Getty Images)Earlier this week, the athlete's father claimed that his daughter and her ex-boyfriend were fighting over land at Endebess, a town in Kenya, before the attack took place.
Speaking to The Star, Mr Cheptegei said: "They were just friends and I wonder why he wanted to take away things belonging to my daughter," also revealing that her two children are fathered by another man living in Uganda.
The pair were allegedly set to appear before the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kitale, Kenya, over a land tussle.
He added: "'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," he claimed.
Mr Cheptegei concluded: "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."
But now, photos of the alleged perpetrator have been released on social media by media.
Dickson Ndiema has been accused of being responsible for her death (Facebook)Ndiema was said to also have sustained burn injuries from the attack, as Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom also spoke out on the horror incident.
"The man is believed to have sneaked into the compound at around 2pm on Sunday while the woman and the children were in church. Upon returning, Dickson, who had procured petrol, began pouring it on Rebecca before he set her a blaze," Kosiom explained.
"The two were rescued by neighbours who put out the fire and rushed them to hospital at Kitale County Referral Hospital where they were attended to with multiple burns. At the scene a five litre yellow jerrican, a bag and a black marvin believed to be for Dickson and a burnt mobile phone believed to be for Rebecca was found and collected for forensic analysis," he further revealed.
Sadly, one of Cheptegei's daughters is said to have witnessed the attack at her mother's home, telling Kenya's The Standard: "I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible."
Cheptegei finished in 44th place at the Olympics in Paris (Jiang Qiming/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)The president of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) Donald Rukare shared in a post on X today: "We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei... following a vicious attack by her boyfriend.
"This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure," he concluded.
Peter Ogwang, the Minister of State for Education & Sports, also put out a statement, saying: "I have just received disturbing news about the tragic death of Uganda's athlete Rebecca Cheptegei this morning in Kenya.
"The Kenyan authorities are investigating the circumstances under which she died and a more detailed report & program will be provided in due course.
"The long-distance runner represented us in the recently concluded 2024 Paris Olympics. I send my deepest condolences to the family, relatives, sports fraternity and Ugandans at large."Featured Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images / Jiang Qiming/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
Published 17:56 8 May 2024 GMT+1
Three-day party cruise ends in tragedy after passenger dies
An Australian man is said to have fallen overboard in the early hours of Monday morning
A three-day party cruise has ended in tragedy after a passenger fell overboard just hours before it was due to dock.
Staff on P&O Cruise's 'Pacific Adventure' ship, which had been brimming with Elvis fans who were enjoying a mini-break on the water 'dedicated to The King', alerted authorities about the incident shortly after 4am on Monday (6 May).
New South Wales Police were informed that an Australian man was missing after falling from the vessel 10 nautical miles off Sydney Heads in the early hours.
The P&O ship was supposed to dock in Sydney Harbour at 6am that morning after a three-day party which had been jam-packed with 'themed parties, karaoke and trivia' for fans of the rock and roll legend.
Instead, the Pacific Adventure was left lingering in the area for a number of hours as a massive sea and air search was launched for the missing bloke, who is reported to have fallen from the seventh deck.
Passengers on the Pacific Adventure had enjoyed a three-day Elvis-themed voyage. (Matt Blyth/Getty Images)Some of the 2,600 passengers who were onboard the cruise for three-days of Elvis-themed fun claimed that they were enveloped by confusion as the hunt for the passenger was launched.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, one man said: "They didn’t tell us what was happening. They told us that there was a man overboard and that’s it. We weren’t told what his name was and what age he might have been."
Another added: "There was zero communication from staff. We don’t know what happened.
"It happened at 4am and there was an alert that went out letting us know that a guy went overboard."
Officials then announced that a man's body had been pulled from the water at 10.30am on Monday morning, after rescue teams had been forced to battle through 'very rocky and windy' conditions.
NSW Police Marine Commander Joseph McNulty had earlier said that he had been hopeful that they would locate the passenger safely, as one of the three emergency life rings that had been flung from the ship had not been retrieved.
Rescuers remained optimistic that the unidentified male may have been able to cling onto it, however, swells which reached up to 5 metres were also hampering the search efforts throughout Monday.
The man went overboard in the early hours of Monday morning. (Matt Blyth/Getty Images)
Teams searched a 60-square-nautical-mile area and used infrared technology in the hopes of tracking the man's heat signature, while another nearby cruise ship also joined in the search.
Tragically, the man's lifeless body was later found.
P&O did not comment on how the fatal incident unfolded, saying that police were preparing a report for the coroner while staff onboard had been supporting the family of the victim.
A spokeswoman added: "'Our crew and guests faced a challenging and tragic day. We thank our guests for their patience and understanding."
The tragedy came the morning after another passenger on the three-day party cruise suffered a 'medical episode' and was forced to be medically evacuated for treatment.
LADbible have contacted P&O for further comment.Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Published 17:33 18 Jan 2024 GMT
Woman accused of murdering look-a-like influencer to fake her own death
A woman accused of murdering her doppelganger has appeared in court
Teams searched a 60-square-nautical-mile area and used infrared technology in the hopes of tracking the man's heat signature, while another nearby cruise ship also joined in the search.
Tragically, the man's lifeless body was later found.
P&O did not comment on how the fatal incident unfolded, saying that police were preparing a report for the coroner while staff onboard had been supporting the family of the victim.
A spokeswoman added: "'Our crew and guests faced a challenging and tragic day. We thank our guests for their patience and understanding."
The tragedy came the morning after another passenger on the three-day party cruise suffered a 'medical episode' and was forced to be medically evacuated for treatment.
LADbible have contacted P&O for further comment.Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Published 17:33 18 Jan 2024 GMT
Woman accused of murdering look-a-like influencer to fake her own death
A woman accused of murdering her doppelganger has appeared in court
A woman has appeared in court after being accused of murdering a woman who looked like her in an alleged attempt to fake her own death.
A 24-year-old woman and 25-year-old man are facing allegations of murder and selecting a victim based on her age and appearance.
Prosecutors in Germany claim that the pair had planned to go into hiding and start a new life, but were instead arrested after investigators realised that the body they had found was not who they thought it was.
Both accused individuals have denied the charges against them.
According to court documents prosecutors believe that a German-Iraqi woman referred to as Sharaban K, who was 23 at the time the murder was committed in August 2022, specifically sought out women who looked like her.
They allege that the woman found people who resembled her on Instagram and tried to arrange a meeting with them.
She allegedly tried to offer a woman the opportunity to be in a music video with the rapper Lune, but when the woman contacted the rapper directly she was told the invitation was fake.
SuppliedProsecutors claim that a 23-year-old Algerian woman named Khadidja O, who lived around 100 miles away from the accused, had been promised a free treatment at a beauty salon in exchange for promoting it to her followers.
They allege that a meeting on 16 August was arranged in the southern German town of Eppingen.
The accused pair, Sharaban K and a Kosovan man named as Sheqir K, are alleged to have picked up the murder victim in their car before striking her over the head and stabbing her 56 times, the victim's face was also disfigured in her murder.
The victim's body was then abandoned in a forest in a car, and when the vehicle was discovered the victim was at first wrongly identified as Sharaban K, with family members saying it was her.
Prosecutors have claimed that the victim's status as a doppelganger to the accused woman may have significant bearing on the case.
However, an autopsy the following day revealed that the murder victim was actually Khadidja O, and both of the accused were arrested after being spotted in a pizzeria.
SuppliedIn addition to allegations of murdering Khadidja O, the pair are also facing accusations of hiring a contract killer to murder Sharaban K's former partner's brother.
The alleged hitman received €5,000 (£4,280) as a deposit but did not carry out the killing.
The male suspect, Sheqir K, is also facing claims that while in custody he attempted to persuade a fellow inmate to kill witnesses.
According to the BBC, the trial's first day was Tuesday (16 January) and proceedings were delayed as the defence's legal representatives argued prosecutors had submitted new evidence they would need extra time to examine, meaning if a trial went ahead now it would not be fair.
Prosecutors rejected that argument, claiming it was not unusual for more documents to be submitted after people were indicted.
The court is expected to make a decision on whether or not to suspend proceedings next week.
