The Australian DJs who perpetrated a prank call to the London hospital where Kate Middleton was being treated for morning sickness have been pulled from the air indefinitely, after the nurse who patched through the call was found dead.
Australian media company Southern Cross Austereo and Sydney radio station 2Day FM told TheWrap in a statement that DJs Michael Christian and Mel Greig, have been put on a hiatus of an undetermined length.
Also read: Nurse Who Took Hoax Call on Princess Kate Found Dead
"[Southern Cross] Chief Executive Officer Rhys Holleran has spoken with the presenters, they are both deeply shocked and at this time we have agreed that they not comment about the circumstances," the statement reads. "SCA and the hosts have decided that they will not return to their radio show until further notice out of respect for what can only be described as a tragedy."
Nurse Jacintha Saldanha of King Edward VII's Hospital initially took the call on Tuesday, which purported to be from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, and patched it through to another nurse, who unwittingly revealed details regarding Middleton's medical condition.
Police said Friday that Saldanha, 46, had been found dead, declining to issue further details. According to reports in the British media, police responded to reports of a woman found unconscious at a central London address.
In a statement, the hospital said that it had been "supporting [Saldanha] throughout this difficult time" following the hoax. According to the hospital, Saldanha, who'd been with King Edward VII's Hospital for more than four years, had not been disciplined for the incident.
Southern Cross Austereo and 2Day FM said that they were "deeply saddened by the tragic news" of Saldanha's death, adding, "we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and all that have been affected by this situation around the world."