Celebrated soccer journalist Grant Wahl died suddenly while covering the FIFA World Cup in Qatar due to “heart failure,” an autopsy by U.S. authorities has confirmed.
Following his sudden passing, 48-year-old Wahl’s unexpected death was shrouded in mystery and suspicion.
As Slay News reported, his brother Eric Wahl said that Grant “was healthy” and that he does “not believe” that he would “just die.”
He even suggested there may have been foul play and made an emotional plea for help.
“My brother was healthy,” he asserted.
“He told me he received death threats.
“I do not believe my brother just died.
“I believe he was killed, and I’m just begging for any help.”
WATCH:
Eric Wahl, the brother of sportswriter Grant Wahl who died in Qatar while covering the World Cup, is asking for help.
Grant was detained in Qatar for wearing a rainbow shirt two weeks ago pic.twitter.com/lak0b1UZwa
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) December 10, 2022
On Wednesday, Wahl’s widow, Dr. Celine Gounder, told CBS News that her husband’s sudden death was due to heart failure.
“He had an autopsy done here in New York by the New York City medical examiner’s office, and it showed that he had an aortic aneurysm that ruptured,” Gounder said during the interview.
Grant Wahl’s wife, Dr. @celinegounder, reveals that the renowned journalist died due to an aortic aneurysm that ruptured at the World Cup.
Gounder says she hopes he is remembered as a “kind, generous person who was really dedicated to social justice.” pic.twitter.com/aaVkb2dhrb
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) December 14, 2022
“It’s just one of these things that had been likely brewing for years, and for whatever reason it happened at this point in time,” she told “CBS Mornings” co-host Gayle King in her first interview since Wahl’s death.
Wahl died on Friday in Doha while covering the World Cup.
CBS News initially reported that he had experienced a heart attack.
Gounder released an update on Wednesday with additional details.
“The chest pressure he experienced shortly before his death may have represented the initial symptoms,” she said.
“No amount of CPR or shocks would have saved him.
“His death was unrelated to COVID.
“His death was unrelated to vaccination status.
“There was nothing nefarious about his death.”
On behalf of myself and our family, I want to express our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of support, love, and sympathy from around the world. Here is a message from our family and the latest update surrounding our beloved Grant:https://t.co/jPsggW6gfd
— Céline Gounder, MD, ScM, FIDSA 🇺🇦 (@celinegounder) December 14, 2022
Wahl died suddenly on Friday while covering the World Cup’s quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands.
The soccer journalist received treatment on-site from paramedics and was rushed by ambulance to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl ‘s soccer family & of so many friends who’ve reached out tonight,” Gounder tweeted on Friday following his death.
“I am in complete shock.”
Eric Wahl later said that he had changed his mind and was no longer suspicious about the circumstances.
“The family will release a statement as to cause of death soon,” he wrote.
“I no longer suspect foul play.
“It was not PE,” he added, ruling out pulmonary embolism.
