Brittney Griner has revealed she considered taking her own life on multiple occasions while she was locked up in Russia.
The WNBA star spent close to 10 months in a Russian prison, having gotten arrested for having a vape cartridge containing hash oil in her possession following a search at a Moscow-area airport on February 17, 2022.
Griner was hit with a nine-year sentence but was released on December 8, 2022, as part of a prisoner swap, with Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout going the other way.
The Phoenix Mercury center has recounted her experience in a book called ‘Coming Home’ set for launch on May 7. She’s also spoken to ABC’s Robin Roberts in an exclusive interview which aired on Wednesday night.
Brittney disclosed having entertained suicidal thoughts while she was locked up.
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“I wanted to take my life more than once in the first weeks,” she recalled (H/T the Associated Press) “I felt like leaving here so badly.”
Griner said she decided against ending her life because she was afraid Russian authorities wouldn’t send her body back home to her family. She had already felt like she “let everybody down” by having the cartridges in her bag in the first place.
Brittney Griner Detailed The Horrible Prison Conditions In Russia
Also touched on in the interview with Roberts were the horrible prison conditions.
“The mattress had a huge blood stain on it,” Brittney Griner remarked. “They give you these thin two sheets, so you’re basically laying on bars. The middle of the shin to my feet stuck through the bars.”
According to Griner, the toothpaste she was given had expired 15 years prior, and prisoners used it to kill black mold on the walls. She was also handed a single roll of toilet paper meant to last her several weeks.
Also Read: WNBA Superstar Brittney Griner And Her Wife Share Intimate Photos From Their Baby Shower
