Former MLS player Aaron Bupenza died after falling from the 11th floor balcony of a Chinese apartment building as authorities reportedly began investigating his death.
He was 28 years old.
Bupenza, who lived in East China’s state of China, played for Zhijiang FC in the Chinese Super League but was at home when he fell to his death on Wednesday.
“We are sad to hear the tragic passage of Aaron Bupenza’s former FC Cincinnati forward early today at our home in China.” Statement posted on X
“Our hearts are directed at his family, friends and loved ones. He was a beloved member of the FC Cincinnati family. We express our sadness to everyone who knows him.
The team was unable to contact Boupendza when they did not attend the latest training session. Turkiye reported today.
According to the outlet, before the tragedy was struck, Bupenza was inside his apartment with his brother, It quotes Chinese police reports.
The argument is believed to have erupted between the two brothers.
Authorities are investigating whether Bupenza was pushed and will determine whether the fatal fall of a football star is the result of a suicide, murder, or accident.
No arrests have been made, but Bopenza’s brother is expected to be questioned amid the death, the outlet reported.
Boupendza began his professional career with Gazélec Ajaccio in League 2 in France, playing in 10 games in the 2018-2019 season and scoring six goals.
A year later he moved to Türkiye and starred alongside Hatters Paw Paw from Turkish Sparrig.
In his only season in Türkiye, Bopenza finished as the league’s leading scorer with 43 goals in 36 games.
After Türkiye, Bupenza played a season in Saudi Arabia before moving to MLS and joined FC Cincinnati in 2023.
Boupendza appeared in 24 games for FC Cincinnati over two seasons, scoring 11 starts and seven goals.
He was celebrated as a great teammate with his hometown Gaboné national team.
“At the age of 28, Boupendza is remembered as the great striker who made an impression during Cameroon (African football coalition),” writes Gabonne’s Football Federation.
After a brief stint in the MLS, Boupendza returned to Europe and played for Romania’s rapid București before heading to China in the winter.
Boupendza was also a member of the Gabon National team between 2017 and 2023.
He started in 23 of the 28 games he appeared in, reaching four goals.
“Fegafot and the great Gabonne football family express our sincere condolences to his biological family in this difficult ordeal,” wrote Gabonnese Football Federation.
