JEROME Boateng’s ex Kasia Lenhardt is to be honoured on Germany’s Next Top Model, the TV show where she first found fame aged 16.
Producers are reportedly planning to broadcast a tribute to Kasia, 25, who was found dead at her Berlin apartment a week after her split from the former Man City ace.
Polish-born Kasia, who started modelling aged seven, reached the final of the hit TV show hosted by Heidi Klum in 2012.
She came fourth despite being only 16, and went on to appear in German TV shows Hell’s Kitchen and Models in Babyglück.
It is thought some form of tribute will be included in the next episode of the 2021, which was due to be shown tonight.
TV channel ProSieben is now planning to commemorate Kasia’s life, reports T-Online.
The station also tweeted yesterday: “We are sad. Very sad. And our thoughts are with your family, friends and you, dear Kasia Lenhardt.”
Kasia was found dead on Tuesday, her son’s sixth birthday, after worried family members were unable to contact her, according to reports.
The cause of death has not been established but police said it is not being treated as suspicious.
Yesterday Kasia’s family released a statement through lawyers.
It said: “It is with great dismay and sadness that we must confirm the unexpected death of our daughter Kasia on February 9, 2021.
“We thank you for the overwhelming sympathy, but at the same time ask you to refrain from expressions of grief so that we can find ourselves in these difficult hours.”
Her death shocked her fellow contestants on GNTM.
Model pal Sara Kulka, who also appeared on the show, was one of the first to pay tribute on Instagram.
She posted a photo of them together and said: “You wonderful person, I miss you and would have loved to say goodbye.”
Sara added cryptically: “I hope you find your peace now and I hope the truth comes out now, I know how much you wished it would.”
Wag Cathy Hummels also paid tribute last night, saying Kasia had been hounded online and did not survive the “brutal footballing world”.
Another friend said Kasia had been “very upset” by the breakdown of her romance with Bayern Munich star Boateng.
The friend added: “He said some really nasty things about Kasia.”
Kasia’s death came a week after a very public split from Boateng after 15 months together.
The break-up led to a war of words as Boateng, 32, accused Kasia of “blackmail” and she claimed he had lied and cheated on her.
Kasia crashed the Bayern Munich ace’s Mini in January, prompting him to publicly dump her last week.
He said it was time to “draw a line” and “apologise to everyone I’ve hurt” including his ex-girlfriend and their children.
In response, Kasia posted a cryptic last Instagram message saying: “Now is where you draw the line. Enough.”
The model – who had a “Jerome” tattoo on her torso – had previously said she ended the relationship because of the World Cup winner’s “lies and constant infidelity”.
She said: “Please give me time. I will fight back because I’ve never been so deceived, used and lied to. Give me a moment.”
And under a since-deleted picture of them together, she wrote: “The devil does his best.”
The war of words escalated as Boateng told German newspaper Bild: “Kasia became my girlfriend by destroying the relationship with my ex-girlfriend Rebecca and my family and blackmailed me.
“So I decided to stay with Kasia and try to make it work.”
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
Boating has left Bayern’s World Club Cup squad in Qatar following news of Kasia’s death.
His manager Hansi Flick said: “Jerome was in my room and asked me to go home.
“From the club side, we also fulfilled his wish.
“After the corona test, which he also needs to enter Germany, he will travel home and will not be available to us until further notice.”
Centre back Boateng played for Manchester City from 2010 to 2011.
He has since won eight league titles and two Champions Leagues with German giants Bayern Munich.
He also won the World Cup with Germany in 2014.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
