Three years after her release from a Russian penal colony, WNBA star Brittney Griner found herself at the center of a disturbing situation that led her to cancel a scheduled speaking engagement.
Threatening Message Found in Hotel Room
Griner, who had spent nine months imprisoned in Russia on possession charges before her release, was slated to speak at the Women Grow Leadership Summit in National Harbor, Maryland. However, on Monday morning, she abruptly withdrew from the event after discovering what she perceived as a threatening message duct-taped to her hotel room wall.
According to TMZ Sports, Griner found a piece of duct tape near the entryway of her room with the phrase “Gay Baby Jail” written on it. Given her past experiences and public identity as an openly gay athlete, she was deeply unsettled by the message and promptly canceled her appearance, opting to return home.
Police Investigation Finds No Direct Threat
The Prince George’s County Police Department (PGCPD) launched an investigation into the matter, visiting the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center where the incident took place. In a statement released on Tuesday, police officials indicated that the phrase “Gay Baby Jail” is a commonly used term in video game culture and does not appear to have been a targeted threat against Griner.
“Detectives have learned the phrase ‘gay baby jail’ is commonly used as a video game reference,” the PGCPD said. “At the time the tape was located, a large convention was taking place at the Gaylord which attracts thousands of people, many with an interest in anime as well as video game enthusiasts. At this time, detectives have uncovered no link to or threat against the guest who located the tape.”
Ongoing Investigation
Despite determining no immediate threat, authorities are still working to identify who placed the tape, when it was placed, and whether there was any malicious intent behind it. They encourage anyone with relevant information to come forward.
For Griner, the incident served as an unsettling reminder of the challenges she continues to face, both as a high-profile athlete and as someone who has endured significant hardship in the public eye. While the investigation continues, she remains focused on her career and advocacy efforts, but this latest event underscores the ongoing security concerns surrounding her public appearances.