LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Kate Middleton and Prince William leave the King Edward VII hospital where she has been treated for extreme morning sickness. Credit: Getty Images
The story about the Australian radio DJ's who successfully pranked Kate Middleton's hospital and got a nurse to divulge private information on air while posing as the queen of England and Prince Charles has taken a tragic turn: the receptionist (also a nurse) who took the call and put the radio hosts through has died in an suspected suicide.
The Daily Mail reports:
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 was found at an address yards away from King Edward VII Hospital, where she worked, just before 9.30am today.
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.'
The 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.
From the Telegraph:
Ms Saldanha, a mother of two, was found unconscious near the King Edward VII Hospital, where the Duchess spent three nights earlier this week being treated for severe pregnancy sickness.
Paramedics tried to revive her but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the cause of her death was "unexplained" but they were not treating it as suspicious.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said they were "deeply saddened" to be told of her death.
You can listen to the prank -- and what may be the receptionist -- in the audio below:
This story has been updated with additional details as more information becomes available.
