Jacintha's Suicide Notes Reveal her Pain and Anger over Prank Call
London, Dec 14 (Mirror): Nurse Jacintha Saldanha wrote three emotional notes revealing the anguish that led to her suicide after she was duped by two Aussie DJs into believing they were royalty.
In one, the distraught mum of two outlines how she struggled to come to terms with the prank call by Mel Greig and Michael Christian to the hospital where pregnant Duchess Kate was being treated for severe morning sickness.
But in another she criticises senior colleagues at the King Edward VII hospital over her treatment after the pair had pretended to be the Queen and Prince Charles asking about the duchess’s condition. That note is said to have left her family furious.
Grieving husband Ben Barboza is understood to want an inquiry into the hospital and an independent probe into the days leading up to her death.
As the anger grew last night, it was revealed staff at 2Day FM in Sydney, the station behind the hoax, had been ordered to live in safe houses after receiving death threats.
A source close to Jacintha’s family said: “One of the letters, which is the longest, deals with the hospital and is critical in its tone. Needless to say, Ben wants a full inquiry into what happened, and he wants to make sure the truth comes out. Within the letter Jacintha calls into question some of the treatment she received at the hospital.”
Police are in possession of the original notes. However the family have been provided with transcripts of all three.
Jacintha’s third suicide letter is more of a practical one which deals with the 46 year old’s funeral arrangements.
Senior Labour MP Keith Vaz, who is working on behalf of her relatives, said last night: “The truth of this matter has to come out for the sake of her family.”
Tragic Jacintha, from Bristol, was found hanged last Friday at the nurses’ home where she was staying, the opening of her inquest at Westminster coroner’s court was told. The contents of the letters were not read out, however the family source insisted they want the truth to be made public about what happened.
Detective Chief Inspector James Harman of the Met told the hearing: “Jacintha Saldanha was found by a colleague and a member of security hanging from a scarf attached to a wardrobe. There were also some injuries to her wrists.
“At this time there are no suspicious circumstances. Two notes were found at the scene and another note recovered from her belongings.”
Coroner’s officer Linda Martin said unsuccessful attempts were made to resuscitate Jacintha, who had a daughter, Lisha, 14, and 16 year old son Junal.
Her body was identified by Ben, 49, and a postmortem was carried out on Tuesday. Mr Harman said police in New South Wales had been asked to obtain statements from Greig and Christian. Friends and family of the victim were being interviewed and emails and any phone calls made investigated.
Coroner Fiona Wilcox fixed a provisional date for a full inquest on March 26, which would have been Jacintha’s 47th birthday.
She told relatives in court: “I would like to pass on my sympathy to you and her family and all those who have been touched by this terribly tragic death.” Jacintha had answered the prank call from the DJs and put them through to another nurse who gave out details of Kate’s condition.
Mr Vaz has written a letter to King Edward VII chief executive John Lofthouse about the tragedy. It contained a reference to comments made by David Cameron that “having the full facts” allows people to come to terms with what has happened. The campaigning MP wrote: “I have dealt with similar cases in the past and I would agree with the Prime Minister that the family need to get the full facts, from the time she took the call from 2Day FM to the time she was found.”
The letter also said Jacintha’s family would take up the hospital’s offer of bereavement counselling and they had also given bosses a list of questions they wanted answered. Southern Cross Austereo, which owns 2Day FM, has said all profits from advertising on the station for the rest of the year would be given to a fund for her grieving family, with at least £320,000 being donated.
But there were fears for its staff last night over the sick death threats. Some have been sent to safe houses and hotels and 24 guards have been recruited to protect them. One of the threats that arrived yesterday is alleged to specifically target Christian warning there are “bullets with your name on” and others involve a shotgun.
The menacing threat is believed to have originated from South Australia and was delivered to the wrong address.
Mr Vaz said Jacintha’s relatives will hold a memorial service for her in London tomorrow. He did not reveal the venue but said the event would be for “family and friends all over the country” to celebrate her life.
It is understood the service will be at Westminster Cathedral.
The King Edward VII pledged to carry on helping Ben and other relatives.
A spokeswoman said: “The hospital has met with the family and will continue to support them for as long as is required.” She added that a senior member of staff has been assigned to “comfort” them.
Mr Cameron paid tribute to Jacintha in the Commons on Wednesday. He said: “She clearly loved her job, loved her work and cared deeply about the health of her patients and what has happened is a tragedy. There will be many lessons that need to be learnt.”