Indian-origin nurse Jacintha died due to asphyxia: Coroner

, Dec 13: The Indian-origin nurse Jacintha Saldanha who

two days after attending a hoax call at the King Edward VII's Hospital in Marylebone here was found 'hanging', the inquest into her death heard today. The death occurred due to asphyxia and injury marks were also visible on Saldanha's wrist, the coroner said.

The 46-year-old native of Mangalore left behind three notes, a police officer told the inquest. "Jacintha Saldanha was found by a colleague and a member of security staff. Sadly she was found hanging. There was also injuries to her wrist. The London Ambulance Service was called to the scene. At this time, there are no suspicious circumstances," Detective Chief Inspector James Harman said.

The inquest that opened today at the Westminster Coroner's Court is likely to be adjourned since investigations are still continuing.

However, Jacintha's family members are not satisfied with the post mortem report. Her husband and two children have reportedly demanded another autopsy to be done to bring out the 'truth'. They have also asked the King Edward VII's Hospital to clarify the circumstances that led to her death.

Jacintha took the hoax call at 5.30 am on Dec 5 while she was helping out in the hospital's reception. The call was made by two disc jockeys Mel Greig and Michael Christian from the Australian radio station 2DayFM.

Pretending to be Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles respectively, Greig and Christian requested Jacintha to put them through to the ward where the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton was undergoing treatment for acute morning sickness.

An unsuspecting Jacintha connected the DJs to another nurse who gave details of Kate's condition. The DJ's prank hogged headlines around the world. The British royal family expressed their unhappiness over the intrusion of Kate's privacy.

On Dec 7, Jacintha's body was discovered in the staff quarters near the hospital.

OneIndia News