NAIROBI, Kenya — Police will investigate the death of Kenyan Olympic marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru, who died from a bedroom balcony fall after he allegedly was found by his wife with another woman.
Charles Owino, the national deputy police spokesman, said Tuesday the inquest will explore whether Wanjiru deliberately jumped, was pushed or intended to commit suicide.
An inquest is a process of establishing the cause of death where it is uncertain or suspicious. 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 offense 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
Following Wanjiru's death late Sunday police officials gave differing accounts of what happened. Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere said "initial reports indicate that Wanjiru committed suicide."
Police in Wanjiru's hometown of Nyahururu say the runner jumped from his balcony after his wife locked the bedroom door and ran away after he found him with another woman.
Jasper Ombati, the police chief in Nyahururu, said he believes Wanjiru may have jumped from the balcony to stop his wife from running out of the compound.
Wanjiru had a history of domestic problems. Last December, he was charged with wounding his security guard with a rifle and threatening to kill his wife and maid. The runner denied all charges and was released on bail. On Valentine's Day, the couple announced they working out their differences and Wanjiru's wife dropped the charges.
On Monday, two other women claimed they were also married to Wanjiru. Polygamy is a common practice for many Kenyan tribes.
In 2008 Wanjiru won Kenya's first Olympic gold in the marathon at the Beijing Games.