The radio DJs behind the prank call linked to a British nurse's death are receiving intensive counselling.
RELATIVES of the Indian-born nurse who died after being duped by a prank call from 2DayFM say they are shocked at the news and cannot believe she committed suicide.
Jacintha Saldanha, 46, who had worked at the King Edward VII Hospital committed suicide yesterday, days after she was duped into helping reveal details about the Duchess of Cambridge's health.
A member of her family, who live in the town of Shirve 400 kilometers from the southern city of Bangalore, said they could not believe the mother-of-two could commit suicide.
"We were shocked to hear from her husband (Benedict Barboza) that Jacintha was no more. He did not tell us that she committed suicide," Jacintha's sister-in-law Irene D'Souza said.
"It is hard to believe Jacintha could commit suicide as she was not the type of woman to do it."
Jacintha Saldanha's family and friends are mourning the death of the woman they described as "good natured." Deborah Gembara reports.
D'Souza said Jacintha was planning to come to India to celebrate Christmas with the family and they were planning a big party.
"But today we are going to the church to pray for her soul and for her children, who are going through a bad time."
Earlier, the hospital where the nurse worked condemned the prank call in writing saying she had been "humiliated" by a "premeditated and ill-considered" hoax that can never be reversed.
Southern Cross Austereo, 2DayFM's parent company, is currently holding an emergency board meeting as the fallout from the prank call tragedy continued.
2DayFM presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian (left); Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (middle) leaving the King Edward VII hospital; and the front page of The Sun.
However the company is not expected to release the outcome of today's board meeting.
It is thought the board will release a statement tomorrow in response to global condemnation of 2DayFM and its presenters.
Meanwhile, Ms Saldanha's two children and husband Benedict Barboza were being comforted by other relatives today at their Bristol home.
Yesterday Mr Barboza wrote on Facebook: "I am devastated with the tragic loss of my beloved wife Jacintha in tragic circumstances. She will be laid to rest in Shirva (the town where she was born)."
Jacintha Saldanha was described as ''a lovely woman'' by a neighbour. Picture: Supplied
She was a committed Christian.
In a letter to Max Moore-Wilton, chairman of Southern Cross Austereo, hospital chairman Lord Glenarthur protested the action of DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian.
Lord Glenarthur said Ms Saldanha's death was "tragic beyond words".
"King Edward VII's Hospital cares for sick people, and it was extremely foolish of your presenters even to consider trying to lie their way through to one of our patients, let alone actually make the call," he wrote.
King Edward VII hospital chief executive John Lofthouse tells the media of the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT
"Then to discover that, not only had this happened, but that the call had been pre-recorded and the decision to transmit approved by your station's management, was truly appalling.
"The immediate consequence of these premeditated and ill-considered actions was the humiliation of two dedicated and caring nurses who were simply doing their job tending to their patients.
"The longer term consequence has been reported around the world and is, frankly, tragic beyond words.
"I appreciate that you cannot undo the damage which has been done but I would urge you to take steps to ensure that such an incident could never be repeated."
The letter was sent today.
The show has been axed until further notice and Greig and Christian were receiving medical assistance amid growing fears for their "physical and emotional wellbeing".
The Punch: Sydney DJs did not cause this London nurse's death
The 2DayFM duo, described as "deeply shattered", went to ground to escape the outrage over the suicide of the nurse who answered their hoax call.
2DayFM says they're confident no laws were broken following the death of a nurse after a royal baby prank.
Southern Cross Austereo has expressed concerns about the mental health Greig and Christian following global condemnation.
Greig and Christian are being given intensive counselling to deal with the tragic circumstances, an Austereo spokeswoman told AAP.
She said the pair will speak to the media, but the timing will depend on their state of mind, which she described as "fragile".
The radio duo has been confronted with a barrage of abusive and threatening messages via social media following the death of Ms Saldanha, who took their call to London's King Edward VII Hospital.
2DayFM adio hosts Mel Greig and Michael Christian are "deeply shattered" about the tragedy. Picture: AFP Photo / Southern Cross Austero
The pair now faces questioning from NSW police after a formal request from Scotland Yard. "It is (a non-suspicious death) but if you're going to prepare a coroner's brief you will need to look at all aspects of it and there's this question about what was said and done," NSW Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas said.
After receiving abusive and threatening messages on social media, the DJs, who have been taken off air, deleted their Twitter accounts. But that hasn't stopped the outpouring of condemnation on the radio station's Facebook page.
"Hope the joke was worth it. You have blood on your hands," Stuart Brand posted on Facebook.
Ms Saldanha was pronounced dead at staff accommodation close to the hospital.
A London nurse tricked by radio jocks during a prank call has been described as popular after her death.
The nurse, known to friends as Jess, answered the call of the presenters posing as the Queen and Prince Charles and put it through to the duchess' ward where another nurse inadvertently provided intimate details of the duchess' health.
Mental health experts today cautioned against any assumptions about factors contributing to her death and news coverage in Britain have linked her death and the pranks but have cautiously not suggested one led to the other.
Prince William and Kate told how they are "deeply saddened" by the tragedy. A Palace spokesman said the couple had not made a complaint about the prank call.
Overnight Prince William attended an event in aid of a homeless charity while Kate recuperated at home. She was to attend, but the palace said she would cancel her appointments for the next week after spending three days at hospital with severe morning sickness.
Prince William mingled with guests and was congratulated over impending parenthood.
The 2Day FM phone call that preceded Ms Saldanha's death has divided opinions on social media and created headlines around the globe.
Local and international celebrities have weighed into the debate - reacting with both anger and sympathy to the actions of the disgraced DJs.
British journalist and CCN host Piers Morgan tweeted: "The dumb Aussie DJs' prank was silly but they clearly never expected to be taken seriously, let alone possibly cause someone's suicide" while Melbourne broadcaster Neil Mitchell said "what happened in London is a breach of talk radio codes not necessarily breach of codes covering "light entertainment''.
Jemima Khan questioned whether the hype surrounding the call was worse than the actual prank call itself tweeting "was it the ill-judged hoax call of the ensuing hysteria & outrage on twitter/media that led to the poor nurse's suicide?"
But Kelly Osbourne was scathing to the DJs saying "making a prank call to a sick pregnant lady in hospital is sick no matter who it is!"
A Facebook page, RIP Jacintha Saldanha. Shame upon those stupid Australian DJs, has been bombarded with messages of condemnation since being launched yesterday.
While some of the posts target the DJs directly, others suggest criticism should be aimed at the practice of radio phone pranks rather than personalities.
"Its a complete stupid...stupid...stupid prank,no respect to others by the radio presenters especially involving the royal family. All i can say,its so sad that now a husband/children has lost a wife/mother in a tragic situation...RIP jacintha," reads one post.
Another says: "It is time we stopped practical jokes/pranks just for the sake of laughng at someone elses expense and getting good ratings..."
"The DJs did what radio show hosts have done for decades--there was no malice, no intent to harm, simply a prank call which at the time seemed pretty funny. No one could have predicted this type of tragic overreaction on the nurse's part," reads a third post.
A visibly shaken Rhys Holleran, CEO of Southern Cross Austereo, yesterday expressed the network's "deep sorrow" at the death of Ms Saldanha but said the hosts did nothing wrong.
"Both Southern Cross Austereo and the hosts have mutually decided that their show will not return until further notice out of respect for what can only be described as a tragedy," Mr Holleran said.
"Southern Cross Austereo is committed to working with authorities in any investigation into this tragedy.
"Our primary concern is for nurse Saldanha's family. This is a tragic event that could not have been reasonably foreseen."
Major companies have pulled advertising from the station in protest at the prank.
- with Jonathan Marshall, Caroline Marcus, Yoni Bashan, Elissa Doherty, Siobhan Duck and wires
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
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