Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei’s ex-partner Dickson Ndiema dies
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 10.09.24. | 10:00
His death comes just days after the passing of Cheptegei, which occurred at the same hospital
Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei’s ex-boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, has died at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
The hospital confirmed that Ndiema died on Monday night in the ICU, where he had been admitted.
His death comes just days after the passing of Cheptegei, which occurred at the same hospital.
Ndiema had attacked Cheptegei at her home in Trans Nzoia, dousing her with petrol and setting her on fire, which also resulted in injuries to himself.
DICKSON NDIEMA, man accused of setting Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei on fire, leading to her death, dies at an Eldoret hospital. https://t.co/jL5NWI8Dqm pic.twitter.com/hs3IGakMEo
— Nation Africa (@NationAfrica) September 10, 2024
Cheptegei, who finished 44th in the Olympic marathon last month, sustained burns on more than 80% of her body, while Ndiema suffered burns on over 25% of his body.
Ndiema’s death closes the case in which it was widely speculated that he would be charged with murder upon full recovery.
While Ndiema’s family is still coming to terms with his demise, Cheptegei is set to be buried on Saturday in Uganda, where she will receive a military burial.
According to her father, Joseph Cheptegei, the deceased was a member of the Uganda Police Defense Forces (UPDF) and will therefore be laid to rest with full military honors.
Mzee Cheptegei also revealed that they are working with both the Kenyan and Ugandan governments to ensure a smooth and befitting send-off at Bukwo, which is in Eastern Uganda.
A postmortem on Cheptegei’s body will be conducted at the hospital on Wednesday.
“The hospital asked us to have the postmortem done, and we accepted because it will help us understand what led to her death. It will also provide closure as we mourn her,” Mzee Cheptegei told The Star.
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After the postmortem, the body will be removed from the morgue on Thursday morning and handed over to the family and UPDF, who will then escort it to her home in Endebes, Trans Nzoia, for a night vigil.
“She lived there, and we will give residents time to pay their last respects and also for prayers,” he said.
On Friday, the body will be taken by road to Bukwo in Uganda for another overnight vigil ahead of the burial on Saturday.
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