Olympic marathon runner dies after ex-boyfriend ‘set her on fire in horror petrol attack’ after sneaking into her home

OLYMPIC marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has reportedly died after she was allegedly set on fire in a brutal petrol attack by her boyfriend.

The Ugandan athlete, 33, suffered horror burns over 75 per cent of her body after her ex-partner snuck into her home to ambush her, local media reported.

Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, has reportedly died

Cheptegei spent days in critical condition receiving medical care at an ICU in the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city, western Kenya.

African radio station Radio 4 Ensunsuzi tweeted on Thursday: “Rebecca Cheptegei, the Ugandan Olympic athlete who was set on fire by her Kenyan boyfriend has died.”

Local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom said on Tuesday that Cheptegei’s ex-boyfriend poured petrol on her and set her alight during an argument on Sunday.

He reportedly entered her home while she and her two children were at church.

As he allegedly set her alight using a matchstick he was also engulfed by the flames and rushed to hospital, Nation Africa reports.

Cheptegei’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, told Kenyan newspaper The Star that his daughter’s two children are not fathered by the alleged attacker.

The athlete was helped by neighbours after the horrific incident in her town of Endebess.

Official Kosiom said: “The [ex]couple were heard quarrelling outside their house.

“During the altercation, the [ex]boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.”

A police investigation has been launched.

Cheptegei – from a region across the border in Uganda – reportedly bought a piece of land in Trans Nzoia County and built a house to be closer to Kenya’s athletic training facilities.

A local administrator report said the ex-pair were locked in a dispute over the plot.

Cheptegei’s father spoke from hospital with his other daughter and told local media that Cheptegei and her ex were fighting over her land shortly before the alleged attack happened.

The pro runner finished 44th in the marathon at Paris 2024 Olympics.