A nurse who was working at the London hospital which treated the Duchess of Cambridge when telephone hoaxers struck earlier this week has been found dead at an address nearby.

The King Edward VII Hospital said in a statement: “We can confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff, Jacintha Saldanha. Jacintha has worked at the King Edward VII Hospital for more than four years. She was an excellent nurse and a well-respected and popular member of staff with all her colleagues. We can confirm that Jacintha was recently the victim of a hoax call to the hospital. The hospital has been supporting her at this difficult time.”

Lord Glenarthur, the hospital’s chairman, said: “This is indeed a tragic event. Jacintha was a first-class nurse who cared diligently for hundreds of patients during her time with us. She will be greatly missed.”

Two Australian radio DJs, from 2Day FM, impersonated the Queen and the Prince of Wales to dupe Ms Saldanha into giving a condition update on Kate, who was suffering severe morning sickness at the private hospital.

Scotland Yard officers were called to an unconscious woman. She was pronounced dead at the scene, but the death was not being treated as suspicious.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are “deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jacintha Saldanha”, St James’s Palace said, adding: “Their Royal Highnesses were looked after so wonderfully well at all times by everybody at the King Edward VII Hospital, and their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha’s family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.”