Accused Killer of Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei Dies from Burns

Charity Chikara

11.09.24

The man accused of fatally setting Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei on fire has died from severe burns sustained during the attack.

Dickson Ndiema Marangach, Cheptegei’s former boyfriend, passed away on Monday at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, where Cheptegei also succumbed to her injuries.

Marangach had suffered over 41% burns and developed respiratory failure due to severe airway burns and sepsis, leading to his death. Cheptegei, 33, died four days after the 1st of September attack, which left her with burns on more than 75% of her body.

Cheptegei’s death marks the third elite sportswoman to be killed in Kenya since October 2021. Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, has expressed relief that justice has been served through Marangach’s death.