Gabonese footballer Aaron Boupendza has passed away.
The player fell from the 11th floor of an apartment building in China, and there are still several mysteries surrounding his death.
It remains unclear whether the incident was a suicide, an accident, or the result of a domestic dispute.
His club, Chinese Super League side Zhejiang FC, stated that Boupendza had not attended training for several days and that they had been unable to reach him. Previously, Boupendza had been sidelined for disciplinary reasons and was later transferred to Zhejiang for a fee of €800,000.
During his time at the club, he appeared in six matches, scoring four goals and providing two assists. Following this tragic incident, Chinese authorities have launched an investigation. They are currently exploring all three possibilities: suicide, accident, or a domestic dispute.
It has been alleged that the footballer’s brother was in the same room before the incident and that the two had an argument. However, the exact cause of death will only be determined after the forensic investigation is completed.
Aaron Boupendza’s former coach, Marius Șumudică, also made a statement following the news of his death, saying:
“He had the same birthday as my son. I can’t hold back my tears.”