WNBA Star's Shocking Confession: Russian Jail Nightmare Revealed

WNBA athlete Brittney Griner opened up about her struggles while detained in a Russian jail following her 2022 arrest on drug-related charges, revealing that she contemplated suicide during the initial weeks of her imprisonment. Griner, whose experiences are detailed in her upcoming memoir "Coming Home," shared her story in an interview that aired on ABC.

Griner's detention in Russia stemmed from the discovery of vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage upon her arrival at a Moscow airport. She candidly admitted, "I wanted to take my life more than once in the first weeks. I felt like leaving here so badly."

Despite her profound despair, Griner chose not to end her life, citing concerns that her body might not be repatriated to her family. Her time in captivity coincided with Russia's military intervention in Ukraine, further complicating her situation. She was eventually released as part of a prisoner exchange involving Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Prior to her release, Griner was compelled to write a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing gratitude and seeking forgiveness. Recounting this experience, she explained, "They made me write this letter. It was in Russian. I had to ask for forgiveness and thanks from their so-called great leader. I didn’t want to do it, but at the same time I wanted to come home."