The tragic story of Ugandan marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has taken another somber turn with the announcement that her attacker, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, has died from injuries sustained during the assault.
Marangach, who reportedly poured petrol over Cheptegei and set her ablaze during a domestic dispute, succumbed to his injuries in a Kenyan hospital on September 9, 2024, just days after Cheptegei herself passed away from severe burns covering 80% of her body.
The horrific incident occurred on September 1, when Cheptegei returned home from church to find Marangach waiting for her. The couple had been embroiled in property disputes, which reportedly escalated into violence. Witnesses described the attack as being witnessed by Cheptegei’s daughters, who alerted neighbors in a desperate attempt to save their mother. Despite their efforts, Cheptegei was critically injured and later died in the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where she was admitted to intensive care.
Marangach also suffered significant burns—approximately 30% of his body—during the attack, which led to his hospitalization. He was initially expected to face legal consequences upon recovery, but his death has now closed that chapter. Hospital officials confirmed that he died from complications related to his burns, and his family has been notified.
The deaths of both Cheptegei and Marangach have sparked outrage and sorrow in Kenya and Uganda, highlighting the pervasive issue of gender-based violence in the region. Cheptegei’s tragic fate is reminiscent of other high-profile cases involving female athletes in Kenya, raising alarm about the safety of women in the sports community. The Ugandan Athletics Federation expressed its deep sorrow over Cheptegei’s death, calling for justice and condemning domestic violence.
Cheptegei, who had recently competed in the Paris Olympics, was a celebrated athlete and a mother of two. Her funeral is scheduled for September 14, where she will be laid to rest near her family home in Uganda, with full military honors, as she was also a member of the Uganda People Defense Forces.