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Nurse victim in Kate hoax call dies mysteriously

Fri, 12/07/2012 - 10:41am

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FILE- In this Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 file photo, Britain's Prince William stand next to his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge as she leaves the King Edward VII hospital in central London. Prince William and his wife Kate are expecting their first child, and the Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to hospital suffering from a severe form of morning sickness in the early stages of her pregnancy. King Edward VII hospital says a nurse involved in a prank telephone call to elicit information about the Duchess of Cambridge has died. The hospital said Friday, Dec. 7, 2012 that Jacintha Saldanha had been a victim of the call made by two Australian radio disc jockeys. They did not immediately say what role she played in the call. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

In this Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012 file photo, police Officers stand guard outside the King Edward VII hospital in central London where Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted with a severe form of morning sickness. King Edward VII hospital says a nurse involved in a prank telephone call to elicit information about the Duchess of Cambridge has died. The hospital said Friday, Dec. 7, 2012 that Jacintha Saldanha had been a victim of the call made by two Australian radio disc jockeys. They did not immediately say what role she played in the call. (AP Photo/Sang Tan, File)

In this Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 file photo, policeman stand guard outside the King Edward VII hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted with a severe form of morning sickness, in London .King Edward VII hospital says the nurse involved in Kate hoax call has died, it has been announced, Friday, Dec. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

LONDON — A nurse involved in a prank telephone call seeking information about the Duchess of Cambridge has died, King Edward VII hospital said Friday.

The hospital said Jacintha Saldanha had been a victim of the call made by two Australian radio disc jockeys, who impersonated Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles to elicit information on the Duchess. Saldanha had transferred the call to the nurse caring for the duchess.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies at this time are with her family and friends,” said John Lofthouse, the hospital’s chief executive said in a statement. “Everyone is shocked by the loss of a much loved and valued colleague.”

St. James’s Palace expressed sadness at the death of Saldanha, was found dead early Friday. Police say her death is unexplained.

The Duchess of Cambridge, the former Kate Middleton, had been in the hospital for acute morning sickness. The prank phone call took place early Tuesday and the two radio personalities apologized the following day.

Saldanha had worked at the hospital for more than four years.