MURDER MOST FOUL: Olympian Korir loses daughter in Switzerland under unclear circumstances

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Faith Jepkosgei, the daughter of former Olympic 3,000m steeplechase champion Julius Korir, who was murdered in Switzerland, will be laid to rest in her home in Switzerland on Monday.

Florian Wahli, the husband to Faith, said he had landed in Switzerland and funeral arrangements were underway.

“We are planning to lay her to rest on Monday,” Wahli told FeverPitch by telephone from Switzerland yesterday.

Her father, who won steeplechase gold medal for Kenya at the 1984 Olympics is still in shock following the killing of his daughter.

“Jepkosgei was my first-born child in a family of five. We are now in a fund-raiser here at home. I will leave for Switzerland on Thursday (tomorrow),” said Korir.

Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei said they had not received official communication on the incident.

“It’s sad news. We have not received any communication. However, I hope police from the two countries will look into the matter. We convey our heartfelt condolences to Korir’s family,” said Tuwei.

According to Mkenya Ujerumani blog, the incident happened on Wednesday night after the Bernese Cantonal police were called in by neighbours following a violent dispute at the Rue Jolimont in Reconvilier.

On arrival, they found the lifeless body of a woman in the apartment.

The report said the perpetrator was found at the scene and did not resist arrest.

A knife was also found at the scene, but the police have not confirmed whether it was the weapon used.

“The alleged perpetrator was apprehended at the scene,” said the police, without naming the suspect thought to be a runner hosted while training in Switzerland.

“The suspect was also injured during the dispute,” the Bernese policeman observed.

The relationship between the victim and the perpetrator has not been established but the police confirmed that the victim knew the perpetrator, the blog adds.

The deceased, a 30-year-old geriatric nurse and her husband are known for their love for running and for hosting most Kenya’s elite athletes who participate in the Morat-Friborg Marathon.

“Her husband and their three-and-a-half-year-old son are currently in Kenya, where the husband is overseeing the building of their home and is devastated by the news,” the blog reports.