Putting the controversy to rest, Grant Wahl’s widow, Dr. Celine Gounder, confirmed that he had died of an aortic aneurysm.
“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,” Gounder said.
“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,” she said.
Wahl, who had spoken out against Qatar during the World Cup, was covering a match when he suddenly collapsed in the press area. He was taken to the hospital but declared dead soon after.
Speculation soon spread that he had been ‘killed,’ including his own brother stating he thought he had been targeted for wearing a ‘pride’ shirt in Qatar.
There was nothing nefarious about his death.’ emphasized Dr. Gounder.