Nurse who transferred Kate Middleton prank call found dead in possible suicide

By Stephen C. Webster
Friday, December 7, 2012 11:54 EDT
The Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge prepare to wed. Photo: Featureflash / Shutterstock.com.
 
Like Raw Story on Facebook
  • Print Friendly and PDF
  • Email this page

A nurse who was tricked by a pair of Australian radio DJs into putting a call through to staff attending to Kate Middleton was found dead on Friday, The Daily Mail reported.

The body of Jacintha Saldanha, a nurse at King Edward VII Hospital, was found Friday morning near her workplace. The cause of death is still uncertain, but suicide is suspected. The Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge said in a statement to reporters that they are “deeply saddened” by the news.

Hospital management told The Daily Mail that Saldanha was not being punished for putting the call through. Sydney-based radio DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian dialed the hospital on Wednesday pretending to be the queen and Prince Charles inquiring about Middleton’s health.

“This is tragic news, and the thoughts of all at the Royal College of Nursing go to the family of Jacintha Saldanha,” Royal College of Nursing CEO Dr. Peter Carter reportedly said. “It is deeply saddening that a simple human error due to a cruel hoax could lead to the death of a dedicated and caring member of the nursing profession.”

Middleton was admitted to the hospital earlier this week suffering from acute morning sickness. The admission gave the world an abrupt confirmation that the British royal is pregnant, possibly with twins.
——

Photo: Featureflash / Shutterstock.com.

 
 
 
 
By commenting, you agree to our terms of service
and to abide by our commenting policy.