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Jérôme Boateng in the court in Munich, October 2022

Photo: Christof Stache / AFP

SPIEGEL has a document in which the mother of soccer star Jérôme Boateng confirmed allegations of violence against her son.

Accordingly, on March 25, 2021, she wrote in an email to a Berlin lawyer: "My son has been mentally and physically abusing women for years, now Kasia Lenhardt has taken his own life and he still doesn't want to face the consequences for his behavior. «

Kasia Lenhardt, the ex-girlfriend of soccer player Jérôme Boateng, took her own life on February 9, 2021 in Berlin.

SPIEGEL is now reconstructing further background to the case in a six-part podcast entitled “NDA: The Kasia Lenhardt File”.

During this research, with the consent of the surviving relatives, the iPhone that Kasia Lenhardt used in the last few months up to her death was digitally forensically examined and more than 25 hours of audio messages were evaluated.

The podcast is based on previously unpublished statements from Kasia Lenhardt, new documents, files, clinical findings, affidavits and statements from Boateng's closest circle.

These documents, as well as the investigation files into her death, support the accusation of violence in the relationship between Kasia Lenhardt and Jérôme Boateng.

A Berlin lawyer confirms to SPIEGEL that Kasia Lenhardt apparently wanted to file a complaint against Jérôme Boateng shortly before her death - for bodily harm.

SPIEGEL also has chat messages in which Kasia Lenhardt stated in October 2019 that Boateng had been violent towards her and was said to have injured her: "Unfortunately, he almost broke my left thumb," says Kasia Lenhardt in a voice message, which is available to SPIEGEL.

She sends pictures of hematomas on her arms, which Boateng is also said to have caused.

He threw glasses.

The hotel room was full of broken glass.

This is how Kasia Lenhardt described it to several people with whom SPIEGEL has now spoken.

When asked in March 2024, Boateng's lawyer explained: "Due to ongoing proceedings, it is currently not possible for our client to respond to your questions in detail.

Therefore, fundamentally: You are simply misinformed to a large extent;

In addition, they are apparently only provided with selective information.

Her client also attaches importance to the statement that he “never physically attacked” Kasia Lenhardt.

Boateng does not comment on his own mother's statement.

  • You can listen to the podcast on SPIEGEL research here.

  • The research results can be read here.

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