Nairobi, May 16: Samuel Wanjiru, the first Kenyan to win the Olympic gold in the marathon at Beijing in 2008, died by jumping off the balcony of his home on May 15, said Kenyan police. He was 24-years old.

The police informed that they are trying to ascertain if that was a suicide.

Jaspher Ombati, the regional police chief was quoted by Reuters as saying, I can confirm that Wanjiru is dead. It is not yet clear whether it was a suicide or if he jumped out of rage, or what caused him to fall to the ground. He jumped from his first floor balcony to the ground. He was bleeding from the nose and the mouth, and may have suffered internal injuries."

Reuters also reported that the police chief informed that they are investigating a possible love triangle behind the death of Wanjiru.

Ombati, reported the Reuters, said that Triza Njeri, wife of Wanjiru had come home to find the former London and Chicago marathons winner in bed with another woman. She then locked the door and ran outside and then Wanjiru jumped off the balcony.

The police has also informed that the two women are assisting his officials in the investigation.

Wanjiru, who won a gold medal in Beijing Olympics 2008, has had a troubled past where he was charged in court with threatening to kill his wife and illegal possession of an AK-47 rifle. His wife had later withdrawn the charges stating that the duo have reconciled.

OneIndia News