Kate Middleton hospital nurse found dead 'in suspected suicide'

[Extremist]

Kate Middleton hospital nurse found dead 'in suspected suicide' days after falling for radio prank call

7 Dec 2012 14:46
Jacintha Saldanha, who was duped into thinking she was talking to the Queen, was found was found unconscious at an address near the private King Edward VII Hospital around 9.30am

A nurse who was duped into giving private information about Kate Middleton's recovery in a prank call from two Aussie DJs, has been found dead in a suspected suicide.

The woman, named as Jacintha Saldanha, was found unconscious at an address near the private King Edward VII Hospital, where the Duchess was treated, at around 9.30am this morning.

Emergency services were called but Ms Saldanha could not be revived and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Police were called at approximately 9.35am this morning to a report of a woman found unconscious at an address in Weymouth Street, W1.

"London Ambulance Service attended and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Inquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances of the incident.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage."

In a statement, the hospital said: "We can confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff, Jacintha Saldanha.

"Jacintha has worked at the King Edward VII Hospital for more than four years. She was an excellent nurse and a well-respected and popular member of staff with all her colleagues.

"We can confirm that Jacintha was recently the victim of a hoax call to the hospital. The hospital has been supporting her at this difficult time."

Lord Glenarthur, Chairman of King Edward VII’s Hospital, added: "This is a tragic event. Jacintha was a first class nurse who cared diligently for hundreds of patients during her time with us. She will be greatly missed."

Ms Saldanha was duped by two DJs impersonating the Queen and Prince Charles, who were allowed to speak directly to staff on the Duchess’s ward and obtain detailed updates on her condition, which were then played on air.

2Day FM presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian called the hospital at 5.30am UK time.

Speaking in a dodgy English accent, Miss Greig said: "Oh, hello there. Could I please speak to Kate please, my granddaughter?"

Believing she was speaking directly to the Queen, the woman on the end of the line said: "Oh yes, just hold on ma’am".

During the outrageous two-minute exchange, the duo even had a third person in the studio BARK in the background and joked about ‘feeding and walking the corgis’.

The hospital's chief executive said it was a foolish and deplorable prank but added that patient confidentiality is taken extremely seriously and that telephone protocols are now being reviewed.

Kate was admitted to the private hospital in central London, where many members of the Royal Family have been treated, on Monday after she was taken ill at her parents’ home in Berkshire.

The Duchess was discharged yesterday and is recovering at Kensington Palace.

The Australian media watchdog has received complaints about the prank call, which left Prince William fuming.

Palace officials said William and Kate were angry at the intrusion and at a loss as to why anyone would find picking on a sick pregnant woman funny.

A source added: “There is a lot of anger about this. Prince William was said to be furious when he found out.

“Kate is vulnerable and weak at the moment and these people think it’s funny to make a joke out of it?”

On the mend: Kate leaves the hospital
PA
However, the Australian Communications and Media Authority said that it was unable to comment as to whether it would be investigating the matter.

The radio presenters later apologised for the stunt, saying: "We were very surprised that our call was put through. 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 and we're glad to hear that Kate is doing well."

The prank call was pre-recorded and vetted by lawyers before being broadcast to listeners in Sydney.

A spokeswoman for the station said: "2Day FM sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused by the inquiries to Kate's hospital.

"The radio segment was done with lighthearted intentions. We wish Kate and her family all the best and we're glad to hear she's doing well."

 

[loneshark]

The article is quite strange.
It seems to protray Kate to be so pitiful.
What about the poor dead woman? She probably killed herself out of guilt and fear, though no fault of hers.

 

[singveld]

[video=youtube_share;7BC63B6WXdc]http://youtu.be/7BC63B6WXdc[/video]

 

[singveld]

Presenters: Mel Greig (left) and Michael Christian (right) made the call about the Duchess - which has been directly linked to Jacintha's death by the hospital.

2Day FM presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian boasted about prank

 

[singveld]

Kate and William 'deeply saddened' to hear 'excellent' nurse who put through Australian DJs' hoax call has been found dead in suspected suicide

A nurse who transferred a prank phone call from two Australian radio presenters about the Duchess of Cambridge has died in a suspected suicide – two days after being duped.

The body of Jacintha Saldanha, who was working on the switchboard, was found at an address yards away from King Edward VII Hospital, where she worked, just before 9.30am today.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge issued a statement saying they are 'deeply saddened' by the tragedy and said they had not made a complaint, adding: 'Their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha’s family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.

'On the contrary we offered our full and heartfelt support to the nurses involved and hospital staff at all times.'

The Palace declined to say whether the Duchess met Jacintha Saldanha but said 'it was very possible given the size of the hospital'.

The King Edward VII hospital, who were not believed to be disciplining the mother of two over the incident, said it announced her death with 'very deep sadness.'

Their statement added: 'Jacintha has worked at the King Edward VII Hospital for more than four years. She was an excellent nurse and well respected and popular with all over her colleagues.'

Nurse Ms Saldanha answered the hoax call at 5.30am on Wednesday morning, and was helping out on reception at the time of the prank.

Giggling DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian were pretending to be the Queen and Prince Charles and asked her if they could be put through to Catherine.

Today the station provoked widespread fury and disbelief by continuing to promote its hoax, calling it 'the prank call the world is talking about' before playing clips of the recording.

In the 5.30am call Jacintha has connected them to another nurse who gave details of Kate's condition. The Duchess was suffering from acute morning sickness at the London hospital and was discharged yesterday after staying three nights.

The presenters, from 2Day FM, remarked during their show how their efforts were the 'easiest prank call ever made', as they put on mock British accents they later described as 'terrible'.

The Australian station and presenters advertised the stunt worldwide and today Christian was continuing to boast about the prank 'making international headlines' on Twitter.
The emergency services were called and two ambulances were despatched to the central London residence today.

But paramedics were unable to revive her and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her family, husband and two children have been informed.

The hospital said this afternoon: 'It is with very deep sadness that we confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff, Jacintha Saldanha.

Jacintha has worked at the King Edward VII’s Hospital for more than four years. She 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.

John Lofthouse, Chief Executive at King Edward VII’s Hospital, added: 'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies at this time are with her family and friends. Everyone is shocked by the loss of a much loved and valued colleague.'

Lord Glenarthur, Chairman of King Edward VII’s Hospital, says, 'This is a tragic event. Jacintha was a first class nurse who cared diligently for hundreds of patients during her time with us. She will be greatly missed.'

Dr Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: 'This is tragic news, and the thoughts of all at the Royal College of Nursing go to the family of Jacintha Saldanha.

'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.'

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.

Even today Christian was urging people to tune in to their show to hear more about #royalprank.

 

[ray_of_hope]

Aussies are crude and uncouth, and people should treat them as such. Those 2 buffoons can still live with themselves after they destroyed a life?!

My sympathies go to the family of nurse Jacintha. She must have been under a lot of pressure following that prank.

 

[kiwibird7]

Aussies are crude and uncouth, and people should treat them as such. Those 2 buffoons can still live with themselves after they destroyed a life?!

My sympathies go to the family of nurse Jacintha. She must have been under a lot of pressure following that prank.

One can't really expect much; Australia started from a colony of CONVICTS exiled from Great Britain. Those 2 sick buffoons probably are not even remorseful over their childish prank.

 

[singveld]

'You have her blood on your hands': Global revulsion at Australian DJs behind 'sick prank' after nurse's suspected suicide

The 2DayFM duo were still pictured on the station’s website urging listeners to ‘hear the latest’
They both closed their Twitter accounts today following huge backlash
Station's Facebook page has been bombarded with abusive comments

Australian radio presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian faced global outrage today after continuing to advertise their ‘sick’ prank call to the Duchess of Cambridge’s hospital.

The 2DayFM duo were still pictured on the station’s website urging listeners to ‘hear the latest’ and DJ Christian sent an early hours tweet boasting about the 5.30am hoax call to the King Edward VII Hospital, in central London, that was transferred by the nurse working on reception Jacintha Saldanha.

She has now been found dead. As the tragedy unfolded, the station faced growing calls from around the world to the sack the two presenters.

Following news of the nurse's apparent suicide, the pair have today been subjected to a barrage of criticism on Twitter.

Footballer Stan Collymore: wrote: 'Another suicide. Another family broken, forever asking questions. If you're struggling, please speak to someone, anyone. Stay alive."

Musician Myleene Klass added: "Just heard about Nurse Jacintha Saldanha. My mum used to be a nurse.They work such long,hard hours.Poor lady must have been terrified. #RIP."

 

[THE_CHANSTER]

Following news of the nurse's apparent suicide, the pair have today been subjected to a barrage of criticism on Twitter.

Both have subsequently closed their Twitter accounts and the Radio Station has taken them off-air until further notice. The level of vitriol being spewed at them is enormous.
All in all, looks like it's shaping out to be a great weekend (not) for these two chumps.

 

[red amoeba]

honorable behavior - made a mistake and take responsibility. not like here, make a mistake and say "Lets move on"

 

[singveld]

honorable behavior - made a mistake and take responsibility. not like here, make a mistake and say "Lets move on"

but really, why should she kill herself, there are many things in life that is worse than connecting a hoax caller to another nurse.

 

[jubilee1919]

How about the Singapore Government's hoax on the royal couple?

 

[singveld]

Tragic: The grieving family of nurse Jacintha Saldanha who died in a suspected suicide have told of their devastation at her death. She is pictured centre, with son Junal and daughter Lisha

The family of the nurse who apparently killed herself after being duped by a hoaxer pretending to be the Queen described their devastating loss yesterday.

Jacintha Saldanha, a 46-year-old mother of two, was found dead on Friday morning in nurses’ accommodation at the London hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge had been treated for acute morning sickness.

Her husband, Ben Barboza, 49, an NHS accountant, said: ‘I am devastated with the tragic loss of my beloved wife Jacintha in tragic circumstances.’
And in a poignant message posted on Facebook, the couple’s 14-year-old daughter Lisha said of her mother: ‘I miss you, I loveeee you.’

Mrs Saldanha’s sister-in-law Celin D’Souza added: ‘I will really miss her a lot. She was good-natured. I cannot forget her, she was so good.’

Three days before her death, Mrs Saldanha was manning the hospital switchboard when she took a call from two Australian radio presenters – Mel Greig and Michael Christian – impersonating the Queen and Prince Charles.

They were transferred to the Duchess’s ward and broadcast confidential information given to them by a second nurse.

Although she wasn’t blamed in any way for what happened, friends said Mrs Saldanha ‘took it very badly’.

Described as popular, quiet and ‘profoundly caring’, she is said to have made clear to her family the depth of her anxiety when the prank was broadcast.

Others have described her as feeling lonely and confused, though the hospital said it supported her and stressed she did not face any disciplinary action.

Mrs Saldanha’s husband raised the alarm after failing to reach her by phone on Friday. Friends said the speed with which he did so reflected his concern for her wellbeing.

Last night the chairman of the King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone, wrote to the owners of the radio station, 2Day FM, condemning the ‘humiliation of two dedicated and caring nurses’.

Lord Glenarthur called the decision to broadcast the prank ‘truly appalling’ and said the consequence of the presenters’ actions was ‘tragic beyond words’.

Caught in an international backlash, Greig and Christian were yesterday in hiding, where they were said to be receiving medical assistance amid growing fears for their ‘physical and emotional wellbeing’.

While it is not thought the presenters broke any laws, they are expected to be interviewed by police. Scotland Yard is preparing a report for Mrs Saldanha’s inquest and requires statements from them.

Yesterday the dead nurse’s family were being comforted by relatives and friends at their terrace home in Southmead, Bristol.

A friend who answered the door said Mr Barboza, Lisha and the couple’s 16-year-old son Junal were ‘very, very shocked and unhappy’.

Mrs Saldanha, from Valencia in south-west India, married Mr Barboza, from the nearby village of Shirva, in 1993. They moved to Bristol nine years ago. When she was working in London she lived in nurse’s quarters behind the hospital, returning to the family home on her days off.

Mr Barboza’s mother Carmine, 69, said the family returned to India to visit her every two years. She said neither her son nor daughter-in-law had told her about the hoax call.

‘Everything seemed normal,’ she said. ‘But then we got a call last night from Benedict informing us that Jacintha had died. He was crying and couldn’t speak much.

‘We don’t know whether we’ll be able to bring her body back to India but we desperately hope so.
‘We spoke to Benedict again this morning and he said he hasn’t been allowed to see her body yet because of legal formalities and she’ll not be handed over before Monday.

‘Jacintha was a very caring woman. We just cannot believe what has happened.’

Yesterday a wooden cross with a British flag was left outside the King Edward VII Hospital, while flowers were placed outside the nearby nurses’ block.

A note read: ‘Dear Jacintha, Our thoughts are with you and your family. From all your fellow nurses, we bless your soul. RIP xxx’

 

[giggity_shit]

this is so tragic and disturbing

 

[songsongjurong]

could be the work of MI5, anyNeh...who cares...

 

[singveld]

Two Australian DJs behind royal hoax call 'in hiding with one close to a breakdown' after 'humiliated' nurse was found dead

The two Australian DJs responsible for the hoax call to a hospital treating the pregnant Duchess of Cornwall were today in hiding - but have told bosses they want to 'express their remorse publicly'.

Friends say ex-model Mel Greig is ‘close to a breakdown’ and undergoing 'intensive psychological counselling' along with colleague Michael Christian - and both are being 'wrapped in cotton wool'.

Today their bosses at Southern Cross Austereo said the tragedy of a nurse who took the call being found dead was 'unforeseeable and very regrettable', insisting 'immediate action' was being taken
The duo will provide statements to local detectives after a request from the Met to their New South Wales counterparts - and the company said they have 'expressed a desire to speak' to the media.

A Southern Cross Austereo spokesman added today: 'We haven't ascertained when they're ready for that (to speak to the media) and how we're going to organise that, but they certainly want to.

'They are still being wrapped in cotton wool at the moment and we are very mindful of their situation.'

The duped nurse Jacintha Saldanha, 46, a mother of two, was found dead on Friday in staff accommodation at the hospital where Kate, 30, had been treated for acute morning sickness.

While it is not thought the presenters broke any laws, they are expected to be interviewed by officers. Scotland Yard is preparing a report for Mrs Saldanha’s inquest and requires statements from them.

New South Wales Police deputy commissioner Nick Kaldas, confirmed the request, saying: 'It hasn't been indicated to us that an offence has occurred and they have not actually asked for anything yet.

'They've simply touched base, let us know of their interest and they will get back to us if they actually want something done,' he told Sky. 'Nothing has been requested of us yet.'

Bosses at Sydney radio station 2Day FM pleaded for sympathy for the breakfast show co-hosts as they faced a boycott by advertisers not wishing to be associated with their brand of ‘humour’.

Sandy Kaye, a PR for the radio station, said: ‘We are very concerned for the well-being of our talent. They are very, very distressed. Mel is very vulnerable. She has been vulnerable in the past.

'So we are very concerned about her. She is in a very fragile state and we are concerned for her. We are giving them professional care. They are receiving counselling.’

Last night the chairman of the King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone, London, wrote to the owners of the radio station, 2Day FM, condemning the ‘humiliation of two dedicated and caring nurses’.

Lord Glenarthur called the radio station's decision to broadcast the prank ‘truly appalling’ and said the consequence of the presenters’ actions was ‘tragic beyond words’.

'I appreciate that you cannot undo the damage which has been done but I would urge you to take steps to ensure that such an incident could never be repeated'

Lord Glenarthur, King Edward VII Hospital chief executive, to radio station

He wrote: 'I appreciate that you cannot undo the damage which has been done but I would urge you to take steps to ensure that such an incident could never be repeated.'

Southern Cross Austereo, 2Day FM's parent company, is holding an emergency board meeting to consider what action it should take over the prank phone call, reported the Sydney Morning Herald.

Chairman Max Moore-Wilton added: 'The chief executive officer (Rhys Holleran) is responsible for the operations of the organisation within the framework that the board broadly sets.'

Miss Greig’s father Sydney said at his home in South Australia: ‘I don’t know where she is. I can’t say anything. I am very concerned for her. I am not sure where this is going. I have spoken to her but I have been told not to say any more.’

 

[CLIMAX]

Playing a prank for radio show ratings is not funny at all.

Only selfish and sick people do that for their own benefit at the expense of others.

No difference to telephone con.

 

[steffychun]

Lucky the hospital is not the Lee clan. If not the DJs will be sued till super bankrupt.

 

[singveld]

interview, they should not be so hard on themselves, it is not their fault.

<iframe src ="http://video.news.com.au/embed/2314192860/Radio-DJs-Were-shattered?player=narrow" width="330" height="365" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no"><p><a href="http://video.news.com.au/2314192860/Radio-DJs-Were-shattered">VIDEO: Radio DJ's: 'We're shattered'</a></p></iframe>

 

[singveld]

When i was in USA, the radio station i listen to everyday, prank someone everyday, i mean the prank is serious, mostly end of with google of swear words. DJ keep calling the number back again and again.

What is this shit?