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Topics: Jerome Boateng, Bayern Munich, Football, Bundesliga, Lyon, Ligue 1
Ryan Smart
Topics: Jerome Boateng, Bayern Munich, Football, Bundesliga, Lyon, Ligue 1
Former Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has publicly addressed the death of his ex-girlfriend, Kasia Lenhardt, by suicide for the first time.
Lenhardt, 25, was found to have taken her own life in her Berlin flat in February 2021.
Boateng confirmed on February 2 that the pair had broken up, stating that he wanted to 'draw a line' and 'apologise to everyone i've hurt'.
Days later, he gave an interview to Bild in which he made a series of accusations against her, including that she allegedly 'threatened to destroy' his career with what he said were fake accusations.
Lenhardt subsequently responded on Instagram: "Please give me time. I will fight back because I've never been so deceived, used and lied to. Give me a moment."
She said she had ended the relationship due to 'lies and constant infidelity'.
She then posted, in what was her final post: "Now you draw the line. Enough."
Weeks after her death, German prosecutors opened an investigation against Boateng on suspicion of 'wilful assault' against Lenhardt.
Der Spiegel reported in March 2025 that the investigation had been dropped by prosecutors, and that Boateng would not be charged with any offence.
Nearly five years on from Lenhardt's death, a documentary about the Germany international defender, 'Being Jerome Boateng', is set to be screened by German TV broadcaster ARD.
Speaking to BILD ahead of the documentary being shown, Boateng spoke publicly about Lenhardt's death for the first time.
"I have lost a person whom I loved very much," he said.
"I've noticed publicly that I'm being denied the right to grieve. Only I can answer what's going on inside a person. I'm still processing her death."
He added that he 'misjudged the situation in retrospect' in terms of giving an interview about Lenhardt shortly before her death, and stated he 'should have handled it better'.
Boateng left Bayern in the summer of 2021 to join Lyon, before retiring from professional football shortly after his 37th birthday in September.
He subsequently held talks with Bayern Munich over a coaching internship, but his potential return to the club received significant opposition from the club's supporters.
In September 2021, Boateng was found guilty of assault against an ex-partner, named as Sherin S.
The Germany international, who was accused of injuring Sherin S during a fight on a 2018 vacation and had denied wrongdoing, was initially handed a €1.8 million fine.
Following a retrial and further lengthy legal proceedings, he was convicted in July 2024 (via AP News) of causing bodily harm and was handed a warning, as well as a fine of €200,000 - suspended unless he commits another offence - and a total €100,000 donation to two children's charities.
A petition opposing Boateng's return to Bayern amassed thousands of online signatures.
Boateng was ultimately not offered the role, with Bayern confirming in a statement: "In a constructive exchange that FC Bayern and Jerome Boateng had this week, it was decided that Jerome Boateng will not intern at FC Bayern.
"Jerome feels very connected to FC Bayern and does not want FC Bayern to suffer damage due to the controversial discussion surrounding his person."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123, or visit their website for further information.