A nurse who answered a prank call at the London hospital that was treating Prince William's pregnant wife Kate for morning sickness has been found dead, the hospital said on Friday, in a suspected suicide.
The death comes days after the King Edward VII hospital apologized for being duped by an Australian radio station and relaying details about Kate's condition which made headlines around the globe.
"It is with very deep sadness that we confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff, Jacintha Saldanha," John Loft-house, the King Edward's chief executive told reporters outside the central London hospital.
"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."
Police said they had been called at 9: 35 a.m. about a woman found unconscious at an address near the hospital. The woman was pronounced dead after ambulance staff arrived.
Police said the death was being treated as unexplained but they were not looking for anyone else, indicating the nurse had taken her own life.
Saldanha's family asked for media to respect their privacy "at this difficult time," in a statement released by police.
William and Kate, who left the hospital on Thursday, said they were "deeply saddened" by the death of the nurse, who was married with two children.
"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 statement from William's office said.
The radio station launched its stunt in the wake of a frenzy of media attention in Britain and worldwide after officials announced Kate was pregnant with a future British king or queen.
Two disc jockeys from Australia's 2Day radio station called the hospital early on Tuesday British time, pretending to be William's grandmother Queen Elizabeth and his father, Prince Charles.
Despite unconvincing accents, presenters Michael Christian and Mel Greig were put through to the ward where Kate was being treated and were given details about how she was faring.
Saldanha had answered the call as it was early morning and there were no receptionists on duty, and had passed it to a nurse on the ward. Saldanha, who had worked at the hospital for four years, had not been facing any disciplinary action, a source said.
"She was an excellent nurse and well-respected and popular with all of her colleagues," Loft-house said.
Facebook tribute pages swiftly set up after the nurse's death attracted messages of sympathy, some echoing calls for the radio station to pay compensation to her family and for the presenters to resign.
Southern Cross Austereo, the company that owns the radio station, said in a statement that the two DJs have been taken off the air until further notice. The statement also said the radio presenters "are both deeply shocked and at this time we have agreed that they not comment about the circumstances."
William's office said there had been no royal complaint about the breach of confidentiality, although the hospital said it was reviewing its telephone protocols.
