Nurse Jacintha Saldanha's Family "Saddened" by Her Apparent Suicide in Wake of Kate Middleton Prank

King Edward VII employee was found dead in London Friday morning

The family of Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse found dead following a royal prank call to the London hospital where Kate Middleton was treated, is obviously heartbroken. 

"We as a family are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved Jacintha," the family said in a statement Friday. "We would ask that the media respect our privacy at this difficult time. We would request that you direct your questions and queries through the police press office." 

Police were called to an address in central London Friday morning to a report of a woman found unconscious. An ambulance arrived and paramedics pronounced the woman, later identified as Saldanha, as dead at the scene. Several reports indicated all signs pointed to a suicide; police, however, have not confirmed.

A spokesperson for Kate and William said the couple was "deeply saddened" to hear about Saldanha's death, and a King Edward VII hospital spokesperson described her as "an excellent nurse and well-respected and popular with all of her colleagues." 

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragedy.