The Olympic fourth and road world record holder Agnes Tirop from Kenya was found dead in her house, according to the Kenyan Athletics Association.
In media reports on Wednesday, photos of a police operation in Iten in the north-west of the country were to be seen, where many runners live and train.
Kenya has lost a jewel, the association said.
They are beside themselves with grief for the aspiring runner and are still working to find out details about her death.
A month ago, Tirop had set a world record of ten kilometers on the road in pure women's races in a race in Herzogenaurach and last came second over the same distance on October 3rd in a road race in Geneva.
The 25-year-old won bronze medals in the 10,000 meter championship twice and took part in the Olympic Games in Tokyo for Kenya, where she was fourth in the 5000 meters in August.
As a 19-year-old Tirop won the world title in cross in 2015.