Tom Macori, police commander for Keio North Sub County, told AFP that Tirope’s husband, Emmanuel Rotich, was on the lookout for police.
“The suspect called Tirope’s parents saying he had done something wrong. So we believe he knows what happened,” Makori said.
Makori provided further details of Tirope’s death in an interview with CNN affiliate, Nation TV.
“When the police went to Tirope’s house, they found him covered in blood under the bed and a lot on the floor,” Makori said.
“When the police saw the body, it seemed that he had been stabbed in the neck, which we suspect.”
In a tweet on Wednesday, Kenya’s National Police Service (NPS) said Tirope was the victim of a “heinous crime” and promised a “quick and comprehensive investigation”.
Tirope won bronze medals in the 10,000 meters at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships and finished fourth in the 5,000 meters at the Tokyo Games.
Last month, the 25-year-old made history at the Adizero Road to Records event in Germany by clocking 28 seconds off the world record for the women’s 10km long run.
Tirope finished in a time of 30:01, breaking the previous record of 30:29, which was set by Moroccan Asmai Leghazoui in 2002.
After the race, she said, “I am very happy to have broken the world record. I thought the pace was good. The course was great too.”
At the 2015 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Tirop became the second youngest gold medalist in the women’s race after Zola Budd.
Athletics Kenya said the country has “lost a jewel, thanks to its stellar performances which was one of the fastest rising athletics giants on the international stage.”
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe also paid tribute to one of the sport’s “brightest young stars”.
“This is a terrible blow to the entire athletics community, but especially to her family, her friends and Athletics Kenya and I send them my heartfelt condolences.”
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