Nurse, Jacintha Saldanha Commits Suicide: Australian Radio Station Gives Family $500,000 And Cuts Radio Show
Australian radio station responsible for pranking the nurse who committed suicide is giving $500,000 to her mourning family, according to TMZ. The British nurse, Jacintha Saldanha's children and husband will receive advertising profits from the corporation that owns 2DayFM.
The Australian station pulled the plug on the show that hoaxed the nurse into transferring two Australian radio hosts pretending to be Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. Saldanha, was found dead in an apparent suicide days after word got out that she transferred the call the nurse taking care of the Duchess of Cambridge for severe morning sickness. Now her family seeks answers.
Saldanha, was believed to be a strong wife and mother of two children: a son, 16 and a daughter, 14. Her sister-in-law, Celine Barboza couldn't fathom that she had simply taken her life, "We just cannot believe what has happened,' she said. "She was a very strong person and couldn't have taken this drastic step easily. We would like to get an answer."
The children have been taking it hard revealing grif on their facebook page. Her 14-year-old daughter wrote, "I miss you. I love you." Left alone, her husband,Benedict Barboza is left to raise their two children without his wife. Barboza's 85-year-old mother said that her son was crying when he told her the news and now she wonders where her daughter-in-law will be laid to rest, "I want to know about the circumstances of her death and nobody is giving me an answer. She used to stay at the nurses' quarters and go home to be with her children on her days off, so now I don't know who will look after my grandchildren."
Last week, the chief executive of King Edward VII Hospital in London, John Lofthouse said, "It is with deep sadness that I can confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff, Jacintha Saldanha," Lofthouse continued, "She was an excellent nurse and well respected and popular with all of her colleagues. We can confirm that Jacintha was recently the victim of a hoax call to the hospital."
According to The Times of London, the hospital did not fire Saldanha, "The hospital had been supporting her through this very difficult time," the hospital statement said. "Jacintha was a first-class nurse who cared diligently for hundreds of patients during her time with us. Everyone is shocked by the loss of the much-loved and valued colleague. Out thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family and friends."
The royal couple were also saddened by the news and a St. James's Palace spokesman released a statement saying, "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jacintha Saldanha. 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 Australian radio hosts, Mel Greig and Michael Christian apologized for the hoax and expressed their prank "was done with lighthearted intentions." In a statement released, they admitted, "We were very surprised that our call was put through. We thought we'd be hung up on as soon as they heard our terrible accents," they said in a joint statement with the station at the time. "We're very sorry if we've caused any issues and we're glad to hear that Kate is doing well."
Are the two radio host at fault for her suicide or is the hospital not being truthful about "supporting" the nurse for an honest mistake?