A Britain’s Got Talent dancer who was found dead at home had earlier spoken of taking her own life if a sex offence allegation against her became known, an inquest has heard.
Warning: This story contains descriptions some readers may find distressing, including references to suicide.
Kerri-Anne Donaldson’s body was discovered in Farnborough, Hampshire, on 7 June 2023.
The 38-year-old, who reached the semi-final of the TV talent show in 2014 as part of dance group Kings and Queens, had been arrested on 4 June and questioned at Basingstoke police station about the alleged sexual offence which she denied, the inquest in Winchester heard.
Later, after going missing and then being found at a Woking hotel, she was taken to hospital having had an overdose.
Following her discharge, Ms Donaldson was found dead a day later.
At the inquest, Detective Constable Benjamin Harris said that during a police interview a complainant who accused Ms Donaldson of a sexual offence said the dancer had talked of taking her own life “if someone finds out” about the accusation.
The officer, from Hampshire Constabulary, said that after Ms Donaldson was interviewed, he graded her risk of self-harm as “standard” and said: “When I spoke to Kerri, which was after the interview, in the cell she presented to me at that time that she was fine, so normal.
“She had no indication that she wanted to take her own life.”
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The detective said that “with the benefits of hindsight” he should have included a question about the complainant’s comments when making the risk assessment of Ms Donaldson.
Psychiatric liaison nurse Serina Juru, who carried out a mental health assessment of Ms Donaldson at St Peter’s Hospital on 5 June, said she assessed her as of “high and imminent risk of suicide” and rated her risk as level 10 out of 10.
Ms Juru added that Ms Donaldson had said she could be sent to prison if convicted of the alleged offence and added that she “could not face that” and was “very assertive” about wanting to end her life because she was “embarrassed”.
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The nurse said Ms Donaldson had also told her that if she was discharged into the care of her sister, Cara Donaldson, she would wait for her sibling to leave to look after her children, and then take her own life.
The medic also said she told Cara Donaldson of her sibling’s comments.
Kerri-Anne Donaldson was discharged from hospital into her sister’s care when Ms Juru was not on duty, the inquest has heard.
Cara Donaldson previously told the hearing she had left her sister alone when she reassured her she was fine. However, she found her sister’s body the next day.
Psychiatrist Dr David Enright told the hearing he carried out an assessment of Ms Donaldson at 11.30am on 6 June before her release later that day.
He said Ms Donaldson was “calm” and told him that she was no longer thinking of suicide and “wanted to be alive”.
The hearing continues.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
