The brother of U.S. journalist Grant Wahl believes that his death in Qatar while covering the World Cup was not an accident.
CBS News reported that Wahl “suffered a heart attack” while in the press box of Lusail Stadium in Doha.
Wahl generated international headlines during the World Cup in November after he wore LGBT gear in support of members of that community who live in fear of criminal prosecution in Qatar. Wahl was detained for wearing the shirt and was told to change his shirt because it was not allowed. He was released after roughly half an hour.
Eric Wahl says that he believes that his brother was killed because he was a healthy person.
“My name is Eric Wahl. I live in Seattle, Washington. I am Grant Wahl’s brother,” he said. “I’m gay, I’m the reason he wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup.”
“My brother was healthy. He told me he received death threats. I do not believe my brother just died,” he continued. “I believe he was killed and I just beg for any help.”
This is a video posted to the Instagram account of Eric Wahl, saying that he is Grant Wahl’s brother.
In the video, he said he is the reason Grant wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup & that he believes Grant was killed. (Instagram: @eewahl) pic.twitter.com/krOoXuSjVc
— Jeanna Trotman (@JeannaTrotmanTV) December 10, 2022
On Monday, Wahl wrote on his website that he went to a medical facility to receive treatment because he was not feeling well.
“My body finally broke down on me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you,” Wahl wrote. “What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort.”
“I didn’t have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic at the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis,” he added. “They gave me a course of antibiotics and some heavy-duty cough syrup, and I’m already feeling a bit better just a few hours later. But still: No bueno.”
Wahl said on a Thursday podcast that he was not feeling well again went back to the clinic for treatment.
“I basically canceled everything on this Thursday that I had, and napped and I’m doing slightly better that you can probably tell in my voice that I’m not at it at 100 percent here,” he said.
“The only thing that’s surprising to me actually is there isn’t that much COVID here. I thought there might be a real issue with that,” he continued.
Wahl’s wife released a statement upon learning of her husband’s death, saying that she was “in complete shock.”
“I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl ‘s soccer family & of so many friends who’ve reached out tonight,” she said.
I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl's soccer family & of so many friends who've reached out tonight.
I'm in complete shock. https://t.co/OB3IzOxGlE
— Céline Gounder, MD, ScM, FIDSA 🇺🇦 (@celinegounder) December 10, 2022