The wife of Kenyan Olympic Star and world record holder Agnes Tirop would have turned 26 next week; her partner was located by police while trying to flee the country.

The Kenyan police arrested on Thursday the husband of Agnes Jebet Tirop, found dead with signs of stab wounds inside her home in the town of Iten, about 350 km from the capital, Nairobi. The case is said to have occurred three days ago. Since then Emmanuel Rotich was missing. According to the local press, he was located in the coastal town of Mombasa while trying to flee the country. The police had already asked him to turn himself in. Considered one of the greatest jewels of Kenyan athletics, the world record holder would have turned 26 on the 23rd.

The runner was found lifeless in her home with a neck wound on Tuesday by neighbors, who reported hearing an argument the night before. The next day, the death was confirmed by the Kenyan Athletics Federation. Until then missing, the athlete’s husband was considered the main suspect by the police, who collected images from security cameras and other items to analyze and contribute to the proof of the crime. According to the local press, the young man even crashed the car he was driving during the escape, and called the victim’s parents to apologize.

Commotion Around the Globe

The murder of Agnes Tirop shocked the sports world and mobilized the Kenyan authorities. After the Kenyan Athletics Federation confirmed the death, the country’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta, lamented the crime and asked national authorities to investigate the case as a priority. The Kenyan Athletics Federation also mourned the loss and classified the athlete as one of the jewels of the sport.

Tirop was found dead in her home in Iten after being allegedly stabbed by her husband,” the federation announced in a statement. “We are still working to find out more details about her death.”

“Kenya has lost a jewel, who was one of the fastest rising giants of athletics on the international stage,” the body said. “We pray that God will grant strength to her family and friends at this difficult time.”

Outside Kenya, several authorities also paid their respects and mourned the runner’s death. President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach praised the athlete’s performance in the last edition of the Olympics. It is always sad to see things like this happen, and to loose such promising talent at such a young age, but we must deliver the news, even if they are bad, so stay tuned to our news section.