BRITAIN’S Got Talent star Kerri-Anne Donaldson was found dead at home just three days after she was arrested on suspicion of a sexual offence, an inquest heard.
The dancer, 38, reached the semi-final of the ITV show in 2014 as part of the group Kings and Queens.
Kerri-Anne Donaldson was found dead at her home in 2023Credit: instagram
She had been arrested just days beforeCredit: instagram
Kerri-Anne was part of the group Kings and Queens, pictured second from the left
An inquest heard Kerri-Anne was arrested on June 4, 2023, and questioned at a station about a “sexual” offence, which she denied.
She was discovered dead at home in Farnborough, , three days later by her sister Cara Donaldson.
There was a note at the top of the stairs which said: “Call 999, do not come in. I am sorry.”
The court was told Kerri-Anne’s cause of death was given as hanging.
A post mortem also found she had non-fatal levels of medication in her blood, which were consistent with an overdose.
The inquest heard following her release from custody, Kerri-Anne failed to return home – leading her family to report her as a .
She was later found at a Travelodge hotel in Woking, , after taking an overdose.
Cara said her sister told an emergency doctor at St Peter’s Hospital in Surrey that she had wanted to kill herself.
Recalling the tragic statement, she continued: “I just wanted to hug her.”
Cara told the inquest when she drove Kerri-Anne home on June 6, the dancer said she had made the decision to take her own life when she left the police station.
She claimed the family had not been given any care plan or advice on how to assist the star when they left the hospital.
She also said she asked her sister about the allegation and was told she was not guilty and that it had “all been constructed”.
Cara said she spent the evening with her sister and was reluctant to leave her alone, saying: “If you do anything, Kerri, that will always be on my shoulders.”
She continued: “[Kerri-Anne] joked ‘I am not going to do that’, so I left.
“One of the last messages was ‘Thanks for everything today’ and she gave a heart emoji, I just thought she was OK.”
But when Kerri-Anne did not answer the phone the next morning, Cara went round to her home and discovered her dead.
Describing her sister, she said: “Heart of gold, full of fun, brought happiness to life, especially mine, career-driven, adored her family, adored her friends, fantastic dance teacher, everyone loved her.”
She said Kerri-Anne had been on television a few times and added: “Her main passion was to choreograph dancing.”
How to get help
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org , 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org , 116 123
The Kings and Queens Latin dance troupe were a big hit with BGT fans, making it all the way to the semi-final of the ITV show.
Kerri-Anne and , all of whom became professionals on .
Following her death, Neil said: “Kerri Anne Donaldson – remember that name and please never forget it because it belongs to a woman who loved to dance, create and perform, she had the cheekiest laugh and a heart of gold.
“She hated getting in the car with me, but would always listen to my crazy ideas, we shared so many moments and stories and she was always the voice of reason.
“Kerri you were my friend and like my big sister.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
Kerri-Anne’s dance troupe reached the semi-final of BGTCredit: instagram
She had been discharged from hospital days before her deathCredit: instagram
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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