The two-time World Athletics Championships bronze medallist, who finished fourth in the Olympic 5,000m final two months ago, was 25.
Last month, Tirop set the world record for a women's only 10km road race in Germany.
A criminal investigation is now underway into her death, with police saying her husband has gone missing.
On Wednesday, crime scene investigators were at the house of Tirop, who police say was reported missing by her father on Tuesday night.
