Rebecca Cheptegei’s ex-boyfriend allegedly set her on fire

Just weeks after competing in Paris, Rebecca Cheptegei is being treated after her ex-boyfriend allegedly set her on fire. The Olympic marathon runner is said to have suffered burns to 75 percent of her body. Kenyan police have identified the attacker as Dickson Ndiema.

According to Press LinksThe incident happened at Rebecca’s home in Trans Nzoia County, western Kenya. However, she is originally from Uganda. Her parents said she bought land in TNC to be closer to sports training centers.

Note that Dickson is reportedly Rebecca’s boyfriend. But her father, Mzee Joseph Cheptegei, told The Star, A Kenyan newspaper said they were “just friends” for a short time.

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Here’s What Allegedly Happened to Rebecca Cheptegei

Trans Nzoia County officials said Dickson bought a can of gasoline and poured it on Rebecca on Sunday, September 1, before setting her on fire. He also suffered burns in the process. The couple were reportedly arguing before the arson attack.

This was allegedly confirmed by police reports and police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom. The commander told reporters that neighbors heard the couple arguing outside their home and witnessed Dickson pouring liquid on Rebecca. Neighbors eventually extinguished the burning bodies of Rebecca and Dickson Ndiema.

It is still unclear what exactly motivated him to carry out the attack. The incident appears to be under investigation. However, the police commander said a local store that they believe Rebecca Cheptegei’s ex-boyfriend snuck into her property around 2 p.m. while she was at church with her two children, According to The Daily Mail.

As mentioned, Joseph Cheptegei also spoke out from the hospital. According to The Star, Joseph believes Dickson had an argument with his daughter over her land.

“They were just friends and I wondered why he wanted to take my daughter’s belongings,” said Mzee Joseph.

Additionally, the father revealed that Dickson was not the biological father of his grandchildren. It is unclear whether they witnessed the attack. Mzee Joseph also stated that the Kenya Criminal Investigation Department was investigating a separate case involving Rebecca and Dickson, according to TDM.

Latest update on Olympic runner’s health

The Uganda Athletics Federation revealed that Cheptegei is currently receiving treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret a few hours away. Interim CEO Dr Owen Menach reportedly told The Star that his team is doing everything possible to stabilise and save the athlete. In addition to the external burns, she also suffered inhalation burns.

Meanwhile, 30 percent of Dickson’s body was also burned, according to The Star. Rebecca was just weeks away from finishing 44th in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics.

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