BUNDESLIGA
Jérôme Boateng's girlfriend found dead a week after break-up
Kasia Lenhardt was found dead in her Berlin apartment by German police on Tuesday. The news has seen ex-boyfriend Boateng leave Bayern's CWC camp.
Kasia Lenhardt, the ex-girlfriend of Bayern Munich's Jérôme Boateng, was found dead on Tuesday in her Berlin flat at the age of 25. A mother of one, the young model had been dating the German defender for the past 15 months before the pair announced their separation on 2 February after allegations of blackmail and infidelity ended their relationship.
The cause of her death is not yet known, although they do not point to third parties.
Lenhardt death: suspected suicide
According to Berlin police, all indications are that Kasia took her own life.
"Yesterday a police operation took place in Berlin-Charlottenburg at around 8.30pm on suspicion of suicide. One person was found dead in the flat. There are no indications of any other person's guilt," read the statement, which sparked a wave of condolences on the internet.
Online influencer Cathy Hummels, wife of Borussia Dortmund player and Boateng's former teammate Mats Hummels, wrote on her Instagram profile.
"The hatred was probably too much for her. No matter what really happened, you can't make everything credible. Public opinion can be cruel. And the truth is often different. I am absolutely shocked and saddened. This is just heartbreaking. How desperate she must have been."
Blackmail accusations ended their relationship
It was the German defender who first announced the couple's break-up just days ago, after the model herself was involved in a car accident. In tests after her accident, Lenhardt was found to have alcohol in her bloodstream.
Boateng himself accused his former partner of sabotaging his relationship with his ex-partner, Rebecca Silvera. The model didn't remain silent in the face of these harsh accusations and responded that their relationship had come to an end after a series of lies on the part of the Bayern footballer and alleged ongoing infidelity. The model went on to accuse the defender of being "the devil", and ended by warning: "I will talk, but I have to calm down. Please give me time."
For the moment, the German police do not consider her death to be suspicious, although the case remains open.
Boateng pulls out of Bayern squad for Club World Cup final
Bayern Munich will face Mexican club Tigres UANL in Thursday's Club World Cup final without their experienced central defender, coach Hansi Flick said on Wednesday. The 2014 World Cup winner will return home following the news of his former partner's death.
"This has stunned us," Flick told a virtual news conference. "Jerome came to me and asked me to return home. After a negative [covid-19] test he will return home and not be available until further notice."
Boateng had started in their 2-0 semi-final victory over Al Ahly on Monday.
The German champions are eyeing a sixth title in less than nine months, hoping to emulate Barcelona's six-trophy haul of 2009. Bayern have won the domestic double as well as the Champions League in 2020 along with the German and European Super Cup crowns. They are also currently top of the Bundesliga, seven points ahead of second-placed RB Leipzig.
Tigres stunned Palmeiras of Brazil 1-0 to become the first team from North America to reach the final.
Flick, who refused to provide any details on his possible lineup said his team would need to be alert from the first second against the quick counter-attacking Mexicans.
"It is up to us to put pressure on our opponents and to play our game when we have possession," Flick said. "We did it well in the semi-final. I have full trust in my team."
Flick, who took charge of the club in November 2019, has had the most successful first season ever of a Bayern coach.
"We have to be alert. Tigres are very quick in their build-up," he said. "They work well down the wings and have players in the centre who score. We have to be there from the start and convert our chances this time."