A FRIEND of footballer Mario Balotelli has been found dead in a London flat after being stabbed in the chest.
Mayowa Ogunbayo, 29, was discovered by paramedics inside his flat in Park Royal, West London and police have launched a murder investigation.
The London Evening Standard reports a post-mortem exam found he died from a stab wound to the heart.
A 21-year-old woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder following the discovery in the early hours of Friday morning.
She has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Facebook posts show Ogunbayo – also known as Johnny John – driving and posing with the former Manchester City and Liverpool striker.
Police are working to establish the ‘full circumstances’ around his death and are understood to be trying to work out if his injuries could have been self-inflicted.
Nigerian-born Mr Ogunbayo worked as a promoter and lived with his fiancee at the Royal Waterside development where two bedroom apartments sell for around £550,000.
Social media posts show the University of Kent graduate living a luxurious lifestyle and often pictured with sports cars.
Other pictures also show him socialising with former Newcastle United and Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins.
A Met Police spokesman said: “At this time the death is being treated as unexplained.
“A 21-year-woman who was at the scene when officers arrived has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
“She was taken to a north London police station and has been bailed pending further enquiries to a date in mid-November.”
