Radio Prank Victim In Suspected Suicide

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, December 7, 2012 | 11:06am CT

In extremely tragic and shocking news, Jacintha Saldanha, the British nurse who was the victim of a now infamous Kate Middleton prank call by two Australian DJs, was found dead this morning in a suspected suicide. Saldanha was found unconscious today near King Edward VII Hospital where she worked.

The mother-of two was working the hospital switchboard just two days ago when she was tricked into transferring a prank call from radio duo Mel Greig and Michael Christian (pictured) of Sydney's 2Day FM, who were pretending to be Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles and looking to speak to Kate Middleton, who had been admitted to the hospital for pregnancy complications. The call was put through to a second nurse who told the DJ's that Kate was "quite stable" and hadn't "had any retching."

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have issued a statement saying they are "deeply saddened" by the tragedy and said they had not made a complaint, adding: "Their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha's family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time."

The hospital extended their "deepest sympathies" to family and friends, saying that "everyone is shocked" at this "tragic event," and that "She will be greatly missed."

The duo of Greig and Christian were never disciplined over the prank call and instead bragged about it on the air after receiving international attention.

While clearly there are more details to be deciphered and investigated, this could shape up to be one of the most horrible outcomes of a radio stunt in history. It should serve as a stark reminder to broadcasters everywhere about the potential impact of such pranks and stunts, even if well intentioned.