Royal Hoax Receptionist Dies: Jacintha Saldanha Found Dead 2 Days After DJ Prank
Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse who was pranked in a hoax call at the hospital where a pregnant Kate Middleton was hospitalized for morning sickness, was found dead two days after the revealing phone call.
Saldanha was found dead near the hospital today. Her death may have been a result of suicide, according to Mail Online. The official cause of death has yet to be announced for the nurse, who was a married mother of two. Local police confirmed to BBC News that her death was being investigated.
Saldhana was not responsible for disclosing Middleton's condition, but was the nurse on duty who transferred the prank call on Wednesay, Dec. 5. She was duped by two Australian radio jocks into speaking with Middleton's private nurse who ended up disclosing personal information about the Duchess of Cambridge. The nurse, who thought she was speaking to the Queen and Prince Charles, revealed the Duchess was about to "get freshened up" and other personal information.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said in a statement that they are "deeply saddened" by Saldanha's death, according to BBC News. They added that their "thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha's family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time."
The radio station later apologized when the company received backlash for the senstive prank. Mel Greig and Michael Christian, from Sydney radio station 2Day FM, had promoted the prank on Twitter and on the radio station's company website. However, after learning of the nurse's death, hey deleted their Twitter accounts.
King Edward VII hospital described Saldhana as "a first class nurse who cared diligently for hundreds of patients."
The hospital spokeman confirmed that she "was recently the victim of a hoax call to the hospital," so the staff "had been supporting her throughout this difficult time."
