The inquest into the death of former star of Britain’s Got Talent star Kerri-Anne Donaldson has heard reports of how she was ’embarrassed by what happened’
An inquest has heard how the complainant who accused a Britain’s Got Talent dancer of a sexual offence told police she had spoken of taking her own life if the allegation became known. Kerri-Anne Donaldson, who reached the semi-final of the ITV show in 2014 as part of the dance group Kings and Queens, was found dead at her home in Farnborough, Hampshire, on June 7 2023.
As an inquest into her death continues at Winchester, it has been told that the dancer, 38, was arrested on June 4 of that year. She was questioned at Basingstoke police station about the “sexual” offence, an allegation she denied.
She later went missing and was found at a hotel in Woking, Surrey. She had taken an overdose and had to go to hospital. After being discharged, Ms Donaldson was found dead at her home a day later.
Detective Constable Benjamin Harris, of Hampshire Constabulary, who led the investigation into the accusation against Ms Donaldson, told the inquest that the complainant was interviewed on video about the allegation.
Det Con Harris said Ms Donaldson had told him she had seen a counsellor previously. He continued to tell the inquest: “She knew how to get help and she was in no way considering harming herself.” He also said police did not have the powers to detain someone unless they presented an “imminent” danger to themselves.
A psychiatric liaison nurse who carried out a mental health assessment of Ms Donaldso on June 5 explained her findings. Serina Juru said that she assessed her as of “high and imminent risk of suicide” and rated her risk as level 10 out of 10.
Ms Juru explained Ms Donaldson was “very assertive” about wanting to end her life if convicted of the offence and sent to prison. She said: “She wanted to end her life because she was embarrassed about what had happened.”
Ms Juru said that she offered Ms Donaldson an “informal” admission to hospital for further assessment or home care support but she refused both that day leading her to start a “high-risk care plan” for Ms Donaldson. The hearing continues.
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