A nurse who fell for DJs prank-calling Kate Middleton’s hospital has died in what could be a suicide.
The hospital at which Kate Middleton was being treated for morning sickness related to her pregnancy said that the “well-respected” nurse, Jacintha Saldanha, had worked there for more than four years.
“It is with very deep sadness that that we confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff,” London’s King Edward VII Hospital, a posh private-care centre, said in a statement. “We can confirm that Jacintha was recently the victim of a hoax call to the hospital. The hospital had been supporting her throughout that difficult time.”
In a statement put out by the palace, the Duchess of Cambridge and her husband Prince William said they were “deeply saddened” to learn the news.
“Their Royal Highnesses were looked after so wonderfully well at all times by everybody at King Edward VII Hospital, and their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha’s family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.”
British media reported earlier Friday that the woman later revealed to be Ms. Saldanha was found unconscious this morning at an address in central London. She could not be revived.
The Sun reported that the death was unexplained but headlined the story for online searches as “Tragedy as woman who answered Kate hoax commits suicide." The Daily Mail, another prominent British tabloid, said she was found close to the hospital at which the Duchess of Cambridge was staying until Thursday and that two ambulances were dispatched.
“Paramedics were unable to revive her and she was pronounced dead at the scene,” the paperreported. “Officers from Scotland Yard launched an investigation yesterday and are treating the death as ‘unexplained’. The exact cause of death remained unclear. However, one source indicated that the woman appeared to have killed herself.
The woman unwittingly played a role in a radio stunt on Tuesday when two Australians disc-jockeys phoned the hospital. A woman answered and one of the callers, putting on a hokey accent, asked for “Kate ... my grand-daughter,” the implication being that she was the Queen.
A moment later the DJs were on hold, snickering that they seemed to be getting away with it. The call was picked up by another woman who relayed routine but confidential information about the duchess’s status.
It was not immediately clear which woman had died. The British media said it was the person who picked up and relayed the call but the hospital did not specify.
The prank garnered worldwide headlines and the duo later apologized, saying the idea had been a lark they didn’t imagine would succeed. But even Friday, before news of the death had emerged, one DJ was boasting on Twitter about the attention the stunt had received. “Our #RoyalPrank was even on the in-flight news,” he gloated. "It’s everywhere!!”
The DJ, Michael Christian, had earlier tweeted a link to an article in which Prince Charles joked about the hoax."
Twitter accounts for both DJs appeared to have been deleted Friday after Ms. Saldanha’s death became known.
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