The
nurse who unwittingly transferred a prank call from Australian radio hosts
impersonating Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles has been found dead. She
has been identified as Jacintha Saldanha the nurse who was the
victim of a prank by an Australian radio station, which called King Edward VII
hospital on Wednesday pretending to be the Queen of England (with a terrible
accent) and asking to speak to Kate.
According
to law enforcement, the woman was found dead at an address near King Edward VII
hospital, where she worked, around 9:30 AM yesterday morning.
Paramedics were dispatched to the scene but were unable to revive her. Scotland Yard is treating the death as a possible suicide.
Paramedics were dispatched to the scene but were unable to revive her. Scotland Yard is treating the death as a possible suicide.
Law enforcement sources tell us ... cops are
NOT planning on conducting a criminal investigation into the death at this
point ... and believe there was no foul play.
We're told a post-mortem examination (autopsy) is currently being scheduled and is expected to be conducted in the next few days.
We're told a post-mortem examination (autopsy) is currently being scheduled and is expected to be conducted in the next few days.
"The
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are deeply saddened to learn of the death of
Jacintha Saldanha," read a statement from a St. James's Palace spokesman.
"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."
A U.K.
Metropolitan Police spokeswoman tells E! News that police were called at
approximately 9:35 a.m. (GMT) on Friday to a report of a woman found
unconscious at an address in central London. London Ambulance Service attended
and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Inquiries continue to establish
the circumstances of the incident. Police would not confirm if the death is
being ruled a suicide or not.
"It
is with very deep sadness we confirm the tragic death of a member of our
nursing staff, Jacintha Saldanha," read a statement from a King Edward VII
spokesperson. "Jacintha was an excellent nurse and well-respected and
popular with all of her colleagues. We can confirm that Jacintha was recently
the victim of a hoax call to the hospital. The hospital had been supporting her
throughout this difficult time."
On
Tuesday, Saldanha received the prank call from Mel Greig and Michael Christian,
on-air personalities from Australian radio station 2Day, and subsequently
transferred the call to another nurse who provided an update on the Duchess of
Cambridge, who at the time was being treated at King Edward VII Hospital for
hyperemesis gravidarum, an acute form of morning sickness.
The
radio station later issued an apology after the prank, stating, "We
thought we'd be hung up on as soon as they heard our terrible accents. We're
very sorry if we've caused any issues for Kate or the nurse. It was honestly
meant as fun and hope the nurse and Kate are OK."
The duchess
was admitted to the hospital Monday and was discharged on Thursday with Prince
William by her side.
Meanwhile, the two Australian DJs behind the Kate Middleton hospital prank that may
have led to the suicide of a nurse have decided to REMOVE themselves from the
airwaves.
Southern Cross Austereo, the company that owns the station, has released a statement ... saying, "SCA and 2Day FM are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha from King Edward VII’s Hospital."
SCA says the CEO has spoken with both of the DJs ... who are both "deeply shocked" over the tragedy.
Southern Cross Austereo, the company that owns the station, has released a statement ... saying, "SCA and 2Day FM are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha from King Edward VII’s Hospital."
SCA says the CEO has spoken with both of the DJs ... who are both "deeply shocked" over the tragedy.
The
company adds, "SCA and the hosts have decided that they will not return to
their radio show until further notice out of respect for what can only be
described as a tragedy."
Interesting that SCA did NOT pull the DJs off the air immediately following the prank ... but instead waited until the backlash after Saldanha's suicide.
Interesting that SCA did NOT pull the DJs off the air immediately following the prank ... but instead waited until the backlash after Saldanha's suicide.
It is so common today that people feel no shame or embarrassment for their actions primarily media people (either print, tv, or radio). Anyone with any sense of pride in their work would take this as a serious breach of work ethics or protocol. I can see the nurse's feeling of disrespect for patient confidentiality once the prank came to light. The "pranksters" need to have a consequence of more than just feeling bad. They were ultimately responsible for the nurse's feelings of failure in her duties.
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