The nurse on the receiving end of the Royal prank phone call committed suicide

Will Alexander/WENN.com
Oustide of the King Edward VI Hospital in London

It all started off as a joke but it’s not so funny anymore.

We told you the story of the Australian radio hosts that prank called the hospital while the pregnant Kate Middleton was there suffering with the extreme morning sickness.

Mel Greig called the hospital with a bad English accent pretending to be the Queen and nurse Jacintha Saldanha  patched through to Kate’s room. Mel’s co-host Michael Christian was in on the call too, posing as Prince Charles. The princess was asleep but they talked to a nurse, who gave them an update on Kate’s condition. The story made headlines and the hospital apologized for releasing that information.

But today there’s been a tragic turn in this story. Jacintha was found dead this morning after taking her own life. The death is not being treated as suspicious. Officials have not announced if there was a suicide note or if her death was directly linked to the prank.

Jacintha had worked at the hospital for four years. She was described as a ‘first-class’ nurse that cared for hundreds of patients.

The Royal Family released a statement, saying, “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jacintha Saldanha. 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.”

The hospital’s chief executive John Lofthouse released a statement, saying, “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.”

The Australian jocks behind the prank are not allowed to comment on this tragedy. They will not be returning to the airwaves until further notice.

Their station released the following statement, “Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) and 2Day FM are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha from King Edward VII’s Hospital and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and all that have been affected by this situation around the world. Chief Executive Officer Rhys Holleran has spoken with the presenters, they are both deeply shocked and at this time we have agreed that they not comment about the circumstances. 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.”

Such a tragic ending to this story.