The apparent suicide of London hospital nurse Jacintha Saldanha — who helped care for pregnant Kate Middleton and was fooled by prank callers posing as Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth — is being felt literally across the globe.
News of Saldanha's Friday Dec. 7 death reached 2Day FM, the Sydney, Australia radio station whose DJs, Mel Greig and Michael Christian, pulled a phone prank on Saldanha and another hospital employee at King Edward VII Hospital on Wednesday. (Saldanha's colleague unwittingly provided confidential information about the Duchess, dealing with extreme morning sickness, to the DJs during the prank.)
In an email, a rep for the station tells Us Weekly they are "deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha," who leaves behind a husband and two children.
The station adds that presenters Greig and Christian are "deeply shocked" and have agreed not to comment. Out of respect, they will not return to their radio show until further notice. Indeed, both also deleted their Twitter accounts.
"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jacintha Saldanha," Kate and Prince William,, both 30, said in an earlier statement. "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."
They added: "At no point did the Palace complain to the hospital about the incident. On the contrary, we offered our full and heartfelt support to the nurses involved and hospital staff at all times."
