Jacintha Saldanha Death Could Launch Criminal Investigation

Culture

British authorities have contacted Australian police about the possibility of a criminal investigation into the prank call made by two radio DJs to the UK hospital where Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton was admitted. 

Last week, Mel Greig and Michael Christian, DJs on Australian radio talk show 2Day called the hospital pretending to be Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. An unwitting nurse who was covering reception patched them through, allowing them access to private information about the Duchess’ health. Days later, the nurse, Jacintha Saldanha was found dead of apparent suicide.

Despite the fact that they clearly didn’t intent to drive anyone to suicide, apologized immediately after, and even said that they didn’t expect the prank to work and meant it ‘in fun,’ the DJs became the targets of international vitriol.

They’ve been suspended from work indefinitely, and both deleted their Twitter accounts.

Considering what British tabloid journalists can get away with, making a prank call hardly seems like a serious offense. If a different nurse had answered the call, the world would probably have forgotten about it by now.

Australian police have said they would cooperate with any criminal investigation, the Associated Press reported.