PHOENIX — WNBA star Brittney Griner said she thought about killing herself during her first few weeks in Russian prison following her 2022 arrest on drug charges.
Griner spoke for the first time about his months-long detention in Russia during an hour-long interview that aired Wednesday night on ABC. His memoir, “Coming Home,” is set to be released on May 7.
Griner was detained upon arriving at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges allegedly containing cannabis-derived oil.
“I wanted to take my life more than once in the first few weeks,” Griner told interviewer Robin Roberts. “I wanted to get out of here so much.”
She decided not to do so, in part because she feared Russian authorities would not release her body to her family.
Her situation unfolded at the same time as Russia invaded Ukraine and further increased tensions between Russia and the US, ending only after she was released in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Griner said that before she was released she was forced to write a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“They made me write this letter. It was in Russian,” she said. “I had to ask for forgiveness and thanks to the so-called great leader. I didn’t want to do it, but at the same time I wanted to go home.”
She was disappointed when she boarded the plane for the exchange and that Paul Whelan, another American who was detained in Russia, was not with her.
“I walked around and didn’t see him, maybe he’s next. Maybe they’ll bring him in next,” she said. “They closed the door and I was like, are you serious? You are not letting this man go home now.”
Griner plays for the Phoenix Mercury. The WNBA season begins on May 14.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the U.S. National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org
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