A NURSE DUPED by a prank call to the London hospital treating Prince William’s pregnant wife Catherine was found hanging in her room, an inquest heard.

Jacintha Saldanha, 46, was found in nurses’ accommodation near King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London last Friday.

Detective Chief Inspector James Harman told the inquest:

Jacintha Saldanha was found by a colleague and a member of security staff. The London Ambulance Service was called to the scene. At this time there are no suspicious circumstances.

Two notes were found in her room and another was among her possessions, Harman told the inquest at Westminster Coroner’s Court, without revealing their contents.

A police officer stands outside Westminster Coroner’s Court in central London. Anthony Devlin/PA Wire.

In England, inquests are held to examine sudden or unexplained deaths. They set out to determine the place and time of death as well as how the deceased came by their death. They do not apportion blame.

Australia’s media watchdog has opened an investigation into the prank call.

Saldanha, a nurse originally from near Mangalore on the southwest Indian coast and a mother of two children, was found dead Friday.

If something’s troubling you, then get in touch with the Samaritans on 01 6710071. They’re there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

- © AFP, 2012

Read: Australian media watchdog opens probe into royal prank station >