Olympic marathon star Sammy Wanjiru dies in fall
Baku, May 16 (AZERTAC). The Kenyan Olympic marathon champion, Samuel "Sammy" Wanjiru, has died after falling from a first-floor balcony at his home in the town of Nyahururu.
Police say they are investigating whether it was suicide or an accident.
The 24-year-old won in Beijing in 2008 in an Olympic record time, becoming Kenya`s first marathon champion.
Last December, he was charged with threatening to kill his wife, Triza Njeri, assault and the illegal possession of an AK-47 assault rifle.
Mrs Njeri subsequently withdrew her accusations, saying they had reconciled.
However, Wanjiru was due to appear before a court on 23 May on the charge of illegal possession of a firearm.
National police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said Wanjiru killed himself but Nyahururu police chief Jasper Ombati said it may have been an accident during a confrontation with his wife.
Mr Ombati said the dispute began when Mrs Njeri found Wanjiru with a female friend in their home in the Rift Valley town 150km (93 miles) north-west of Nairobi.
Police are currently questioning both women about the incident.
Wanjiru suffered internal injuries as a result of the fall and was pronounced dead in hospital after attempts to revive him failed.
As well as becoming the youngest Olympic champion since 1932, Wanjiru also set marathon course records in London and Chicago.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Wanjiru`s death was a big blow to Kenya`s dreams of Olympic gold in London 2012.
Athletes including Ethiopian great Haile Gebrselassie have expressed their shock and condolences.
"One wonders if we as an athletics family could have avoided this tragedy," he said on his Twitter feed.
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