Australian DJs Off Air After Kate Middleton Nurse Death
The two Australian Djs behind the now infamous Kate Middleton prank call have been taken off the air until further notice following the possible suicide death of the duped nurse.
Mel Greig and Michael Christian from the 2Day FM radio station were suspended just hours after news of Jacintha Saldanha's death broke. Saldanha was pronounced dead Friday morning minutes after her body was discovered near King Edward VII Hospital where she worked, according to ABC News.
"Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) and 2Day FM are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha from King Edward VII's Hospital and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and all that have been affected by this situation around the world," the radio station said in a statement posted via its Facebook page.
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"SCA and the hosts have decided that they will not return to their radio show until further notice out of respect for what can only be described as a tragedy," the statement added.
Greig and Christian posed as Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles during the bizarre phone prank which was made to the private hospital on Tuesday morning. The pair was successful in obtaining personal information about Middleton from her nurse.
Middleton was admitted to the same hospital the day prior after developing hyperemesis gravidarum. Saldanha, nurse and mother of two, was the receptionist who was duped into transferring the call through to Middleton's personal nurse.
During the prank call Greig was heard saying "Oh, hello there. Could I please speak to Kate please, my granddaughter?"
Saldanha assumed that she was speaking with the Queen of England and replied "oh yes, just hold on ma'am" before transferring the call to Middleton's personal nurse.
Both Greig and Christian deleted their personal Twitter accounts after Saldanha's death and the pair has not yet spoken publicly regarding the matter. 2Day FM's chief executive described them as being "deeply shocked" about Saldanha's suspected suicide.
Middleton and Prince William, who confirmed they are expecting their first child on Monday, are said to be saddened after learning of Saldanha's death, according to a recent statement from St. James' Palace.
"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jacintha Saldanha," a spokesman from St. James Palace said in a statement obtained by Daily Mail.
"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," the statement added.
