NAIROBI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan-born female athlete Damaris Muthee has been found dead in a house in Iten, in the northwest part of the country, government and athletics officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Elgeyo Marakwet County Deputy Commissioner Julius Maiyo said Muthee's body was discovered in a male Ethiopian athlete's house barely a kilometer from where another athlete Agnes Tirop was found murdered under similar circumstances six months ago.
Maiyo said the 24-year-old Muthee who runs for Bahrain and trains in Iten is suspected to have been killed by the Ethiopian athlete.
Her decomposing body was discovered lying on the Ethiopian athlete's bed at 3pm on Tuesday after the suspect called a neighbor and reported that he had killed his girlfriend.
"We received a report from an Ethiopian neighbor that the suspect called and informed him that he had killed the athlete," Maiyo told Xinhua on the phone.
Athletics Kenya and National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) executive member Barnaba Korir said the police are investigating the circumstances that led to the death of the runner who had visited the Ethiopian on Saturday.
"This is very sad and it seems people have little regard for life despite all our efforts to sensitize our runners following the death of Agnes Tirop," Korir told Xinhua on the phone.
Tirop, 25, the two-time World Championships bronze medalist was found dead in her home on October 13, 2021, with law enforcement and Athletics Kenya immediately announcing the husband Ibrahim Rotich as the prime suspect.
The Ethiopian athlete identified as Koki Fai reportedly fled from the country after killing Muthee.
"It's our hope the Ethiopian authorities will move quickly to apprehend the suspend so that he can face the charges," Korir added.
"The cruelty the human being is manifesting is worrying and shocking at the current state of things. So heartbreaking," Beijing 2015 world men's Javelin champion Julius Yego said.
"Really sad, this world is cruel. My sincere heartfelt condolences to the family and entire athletic community," former world champion Moses Tanui added. ■
