In The News

Olympic champion dies in suspected suicide

Olympic champion dies in suspected suicide

The Olympic marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru has died in a fall at his home in Kenya in what is suspected to have been suicide. 

The 24-year-old runner, who set a record time at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, was found lying beneath a balcony at his home in the Rift Valley.

Police said it appeared he had taken his own life.

Mr. Wanjiru had recently been facing problems in his private life.

He was charged last December with threatening to kill his wife and with possessing an illegal firearm.

Although the charge concerning his wife was subsequently withdrawn, he was still expected to appear in court to face the firearms charge.

Mr. Wanjiru had not been running recently because of injury.

He had previously set course records at the London and Chicago marathons.

 

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