Man accused of setting fire to Ugandan Olympic athlete dies of burns

Dickson Ndiema was admitted to Moi Referral Hospital in the western city of Eldoret with burns covering 30 percent of his body.

Ndiema is said to have sustained the injuries when he set fire to Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei. She died last Thursday from burns to 80 percent of her body.

Hospital spokesman Owen Menach told the Associated Press on Tuesday that the hospital would issue a statement later, but confirmed that the patient had died.

According to a report by the local chief, Ndiema and Cheptegei are said to have argued over a piece of land that the athlete had bought in Kenya.

Less than a month before the attack, Cheptegei had taken part in the women's marathon at the Olympic Games in Paris. She finished in 44th place.

Her parents said she bought land in Transnzoia County to be close to Kenya's many sports training centers.

Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, told reporters last week that Ndiema, his daughter's ex-boyfriend, had been stalking and threatening her and that the family had informed the police.

He said he wanted justice and expressed concern that the suspect was not guarded at the hospital in case he attempted to escape.

Cheptegei is scheduled to be buried at her home in Uganda on Saturday.