London authorities have released heartbreaking, disturbing new details about the Dec. 7 suicide of Jacintha Saldanha, the hospital nurse fooled by a phone prank regarding the pregnant Kate Middleton.
A member of the coroner's office said that a hospital employee and security person discovered Saldanha, a 46-year-old married mother of two, hanging by a scarf from a wardrobe in her room near King Edward VII Hospital, according to the Associated Press.
Detective James Harman also noted that Saldanha had injuries to her wrists — and two notes were found on the scene, and a third one near Saldanha's belongings. Treating Saldanha's death as an apparent suicide, authorities will continue to analyze the notes as well as interview friends, family and colleagues and review emails and phone calls.
Coroner Fiona Wilcox opened and adjourned the case until March 26, expressing "my sympathies to her family and everybody who has been touched by this tragic death."
Saldanha is survived by husband Ben Barboza, and their two children, Junal, 17, and Lisha, 14. As Middleton, 30, was being treated at the hospital for acute morning sickness last week, Saldanha answered the phone when two Australian DJs impersonated Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles; fooled by the hoax, Saldanha transferred the call to a colleague, who revealed confidential information about the pregnant royal.
The Sydney-based DJs have publicly apologized for their prank call, calling themselves "shattered, gutted, heartbroken" over Saldanha's suicide.