Nurse involved in Kate Middleton hoax call dies

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.