Russian Exile Journalist Who Exposed Putin’s Private Life Dies in Riga After Suspected Mushroom Poisoning

Gregory Nakhushev, a Russian journalist in exile who was behind revelations about President Vladimir Putin’s private life, died at 69 in Riga, the capital of Latvia. According to reports, he died after eating poisonous mushrooms he had gathered in his yard. The story was reported by Walla.

Nakhushev had lived in Latvia for the past 11 years and had been granted political refugee status there. He left Russia after publishing a series of stories about Putin’s personal life, which he said turned him immediately into Putin’s “personal enemy” and put his life in danger in Russia.

Latvian and Russian media reported that he was found dead at home last Friday. Friends said he was an experienced mushroom forager, but this time the mushrooms he collected were reportedly toxic. Latvian authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the circumstances of death, and an autopsy is expected to determine the exact cause.

For now, there is no public evidence pointing to anything beyond possible mushroom poisoning, despite the ominous circumstances. The death shocked his friends and fellow Russian exiled journalists. Russian journalist Bozhena Rynska, also living in Latvia, called the death “unbelievable” and described Nakhushev as a legendary figure in Russian journalism. His friend Igors Vatolins, who saw him shortly before he died, said Nakhushev did not look ill or especially old, but seemed full of ideas and plans.