Grant Wahl’s brother had previously suspected foul play in his death.
American football reporter Grant Wahl died from complications arising from an undetected heart problem while covering the World Cup in Qatar, his widow has revealed.
Dr Céline Gounder, Wahl’s wife, told CBS on Wednesday morning that her husband died from an “aortic aneurysm that ruptured.”
“And 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,” said Gounder.
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
Her words have put to bed any speculation that her late husband’s death was a result of foul play.
Eric Wahl, Grant’s brother, had previously admitted on social media that ‘suspected foul play’, but he has since acknowledged that this is no longer the case.
The family will release a statement as to cause of death soon. I no longer suspect foul play. It was not PE. https://t.co/OKRV6XEvgL
— Eric Wahl (@ziplamak) December 13, 2022
Gounder also confirmed Wahl’s cause of death in a post on his Substack page, on behalf of herself and the family.
“Grant died from the rupture of a slowly growing, undetected ascending aortic aneurysm with hemopericardium,” she wrote.
“The chest pressure he experienced shortly before his death may have represented the initial symptoms. 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.”
Gounder penned a moving tribute to her late husband, writing: “First and foremost, 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.
“This continues to be a very difficult and painful time as we grieve a beloved husband, brother, and friend. It is some comfort to know that so many people Grant reached – countless colleagues, readers, athletes, coaches, friends, and fans – are grieving alongside us.”
She continued: “While the world knew Grant as a great journalist, we knew him as a man who approached the world with openness and love.
“Grant was an incredibly empathetic, dedicated, and loving husband, brother, uncle, and son who was our greatest teammate and fan.
“We will forever cherish the gift of his life; to share his company was our greatest love and source of joy.
“Grant curated friends from all cultures and walks of life, for whom he was a generous listener, an enthusiast, a champion of others. To know Grant was to know a true renaissance man.”
