A man accused of setting a Ugandan Olympic athlete on fire, leading to her death, has died from burns he sustained during the attack, according to a Kenyan hospital.
Dickson Ndiema, who suffered burns on 30% of his body, was treated at Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret. He allegedly sustained the injuries after dousing athlete Rebecca Cheptegei in gasoline and setting her on fire. Cheptegei died last Thursday, with 80% of her body burned.
Hospital spokesperson Owen Menach confirmed Ndiema’s death, stating a formal statement would be released later.
According to local reports, the incident followed a dispute between Ndiema and Cheptegei over land she had purchased in Kenya.
Cheptegei, who competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, finishing 44th, had recently bought land in Trans Nzoia County, near Kenya’s athletic training centers.
Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, revealed that Ndiema, a former boyfriend, had been stalking and threatening her, and the family had notified the police.
Cheptegei will be laid to rest in Uganda on Saturday.