Kenya launches investigation into athlete’s death
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenyan authorities launched an investigation yesterday to determine what caused the death of Olympic marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru, as the athlete’s mother claimed that he was killed in his bedroom and his body dumped from the balcony.
Officials said the Kenyan runner died from a fall off his bedroom balcony after he was allegedly found by his wife with another woman.
But Ann Wanjiru, 59, alleged her son was killed in the bedroom and his body dumped from the balcony to the ground to cover up the cause of death. She accused Wanjiru’s wife, Triza Njeri, of killing her son and refuted claims that Wanjiru was found with another woman in his home.
“Njeri killed my son. Why didn’t she come to my home which is a five minute walk from her home to report that Wanjiru had fallen?” Ann asked.
“I am sickly, but even if I fall from that height I will not die I will only get a dislocation,” she said. She said Njeri wanted control of Wanjiru’s property.
National deputy police spokesman Charles Owino said the inquest will explore whether Wanjiru deliberately jumped, was pushed or intended to commit suicide. Owino said officials will close the case if the police find overwhelming evidence that Wanjiru’s death was caused by his own actions.
“If we find that somebody was involved in committing the offence is when the matter goes to court before a magistrate and the magistrate reviews the case and makes recommendations that we arrest the person,” Owino said.