My name is Millicent Oryema, whose heart has been shattered beyond repair.
My son, Robinson Okumu, a British citizen, was only 25 years old. A disciplined, focused, and passionate sprinter, he proudly competed in the Dorset West and East Championships and trained tirelessly with Bournemouth Athletics Club with Olympic dreams in his heart. He lived for athletics. He breathed for it. He worked every single day toward representing his country at the highest level. He was also a talented footballer, playing for both Dorchester and Wimborne football clubs.
On 12th June 2025 at 3:00am, I personally saw my son off to the airport. He was full of hope. Full of life. He was travelling first to Malta, where on 14th June he competed and achieved an outstanding time of 10.65 seconds, a World Athletics Olympic qualifying standard. He was proud. I was proud. His future was bright.
Robinson was called by his colleague in Manchester to send money for accommodation for Italy, where the competition was to be held. He then told me that he was to compete in London and would not be driving home but would be spending the night with the colleague in Manchester in his house for the morning flight to Italy. He then travelled to Italy on the 6th of July for another competition. He kept in touch with me constantly, sending messages when boarding flights and when landing, and even sent me a video of his apartment. On 8th July, after competing, I spoke to him. He sounded normal. Happy and looking forward to Belgium for his next race that weekend.
That was the last time I heard my son’s voice.
On the morning of 9th July, I tried to call him. No answer. I told myself he must be travelling. I called again later. Still no answer.
At 6:30pm that same day, police officers knocked on my door.
They told me my son had been found dead in his room in Italy that morning at 08:00am on the very day he was supposed to travel to Belgium for his next competition.
How does a healthy 25-year-old elite athlete go to sleep and never wake up?
The explanations I have received do not make sense.
When I contacted his coach and those who travelled with him, I was told conflicting stories. First, they said Robinson was sleeping when they left. Minutes later, they said he was waking up. Then they said he was packing his clothes. There was mention of an argument, but no one has clearly explained what that argument was all about.
Which version is the truth?
Desperate for answers, I travelled to Italy. Communication was painfully difficult due to the language barrier. I was forced to find a lawyer just to understand what was happening.
At the mortuary, I was denied the right to properly see my own son. I had to wait for a doctor. When I was finally allowed to see him, it was for barely two minutes. The doctor was so mean and did not allow me to see the body properly. I was so helpless and blank. Two minutes to look at the child I carried for nine months. Two minutes to say goodbye. The following day I was allowed by a different doctor to see him again, only to discover that a “basic postmortem” (as they called it) had already been conducted without my knowledge or consent. I was not given any information thereof.
Really?
What were they hiding from me?
Then came the most disturbing discovery.
At 02:29am on 9th July, a message was sent from Robinson’s phone to two of his colleagues in the UK saying he needed help.
He needed help.
One colleague forwarded that message to me and claimed that it was not his usual style of texting. CCTV footage later showed that the two colleagues left the accommodation at around 4:00am with their bags, leaving my son behind.
If he sent a message saying he needed help at 02:29am, why did they leave him?
Why did no one call emergency services?
Why was my son left to die all alone?
These questions haunt me every single day. I cannot sleep. I cannot rest. I cannot heal. I am broken to the core. It is still fresh as though it happened minutes ago.
As a mother, I am not accusing anyone. I am asking for a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation. I am asking the authorities in Italy and the UK not to let this case be dismissed or delayed. I am asking the public to help amplify my voice so that my son’s death is not quietly forgotten.
Robinson was not just an athlete. He was my child. He had dreams. He had discipline. He had no known health issues. He was strong, healthy, and preparing for international competitions.
Something happened in those early hours of 9th July.
I have tried talking to many people for help, including the CID and the area MP, but so far I have received no tangible help. He was very productive to this country and even brought two English medals, yet this is the treatment I received in return. Painful and traumatizing as it sounds, repatriating the body all the way from Italy to the UK and finally to his resting place was entirely done by me and friends who offered to help, as this was a very expensive affair; I couldn’t handle it all alone. Also, getting another local lawyer to represent me at this time will require a lot of money that I can’t manage, as I am already paying another lawyer in Italy. It has so far taken 7 months with no progress in sight. I am a very disappointed and broken mother.
I am pleading with the government, law enforcement agencies, sporting authorities, and the general public: Please help me get the truth and justice. That’s my only prayer. Please ensure a proper investigation is carried out. Please do not let my son’s death remain a mystery. Please don’t let Robinson down.
A mother deserves answers.
Justice for Robinson Okumu!
