A Russian journalist who was among the first to expose reports of Vladimir Putin’s relationship with former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva has died in Latvia after reportedly consuming poisonous mushrooms he had gathered near his home.
Grigory Nekhoroshev, 69, died in Riga, where he had lived in exile for more than a decade after fleeing Russia. Friends said the veteran editor, known for his passion for mushroom foraging, accidentally ate toxic mushrooms collected from his yard.
Nekhoroshev was the editor-in-chief of the now-defunct Moskovsky Korrespondent, the newspaper that published a bombshell report in 2008 claiming Putin planned to divorce his then-wife, Lyudmila Putina, and marry Kabaeva. The report caused a major political storm in Russia and ultimately led to the newspaper’s closure.
At the time, Putin dismissed the story, accusing people with “erotic fantasies” of intruding into the private lives of others. Both Putin and Kabaeva publicly denied the claims, although reports about their long-term relationship have persisted for years.
Friends and colleagues described Nekhoroshev’s death as shocking, noting that he was active, healthy and full of future plans. Some recalled that he remained concerned about his safety while living abroad and feared possible attacks by individuals linked to the Kremlin.
There is currently no evidence suggesting foul play, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. However, his passing has drawn attention because of a long history of critics, journalists, opposition figures and former associates of Putin dying in unusual or controversial circumstances.
Nekhoroshev fled Russia after facing pressure and alleged threats following the publication of the 2008 report. He later returned briefly before eventually settling in Latvia, where he was granted political refuge.
His death comes amid continued scrutiny of the Kremlin’s treatment of dissenting voices, although investigators have so far indicated that poisoning from toxic mushrooms is the most likely cause.