Britain's Got Talent Semi-Finalist Died by Suicide Following Arrest
A coroner has concluded that a former Britain's Got Talent dancer died by suicide just three days after being arrested on suspicion of a child sexual offence. Kerri-Anne Donaldson, who reached the semi-finals of the ITV show in 2014 as part of the dance group Kings and Queens, was found deceased at her residence in Farnborough, Hampshire, on June 7, 2023.
Arrest and Subsequent Events
An inquest held at Winchester Coroner's Court revealed that the 38-year-old performer was apprehended by police on June 4 and questioned at a station regarding the alleged sexual offence, which she firmly denied. Following her release, she was reported missing and later discovered at a hotel in Woking, Surrey, on June 5, having consumed an overdose. She was promptly admitted to St Peter's Hospital in Surrey for urgent medical attention.
Prior to this incident, Ms Donaldson had spent the night sleeping in a garage after drinking a bottle of Malibu. Despite being placed under a high-risk care plan on June 5, she was discharged from hospital on June 6 into the care of a home treatment team after assessments indicated she had settled. Tragically, she was found dead at her home the following morning.
Flawed Mental Health Assessments
Coroner Jason Pegg recorded a conclusion of suicide, highlighting significant shortcomings in the mental health evaluations conducted. Psychiatric liaison nurse Serina Juru, who assessed Ms Donaldson on the evening of June 5, rated her risk of suicide as 10 out of 10, describing it as high and imminent. However, a subsequent Mental Health Act assessment by three professionals on June 6 deemed her suitable for release.
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Martin Williams testified that the team considered the possibility Ms Donaldson was masking her true risk level but concluded the danger had markedly reduced from the previous day. He noted she refused to disclose details of the alleged offence but expressed she no longer believed imprisonment was inevitable.
Coroner's Critical Findings
Mr Pegg identified three erroneous assumptions that hindered the second assessment:
- The belief Ms Donaldson had raised the alarm herself after the overdose.
- The assumption she was intoxicated during Ms Juru's evaluation.
- The conclusion the alleged offence was unlikely to involve sexual violence or lead to a custodial sentence based on her bail conditions.
The coroner emphasized that the failure to review Ms Juru's comprehensive notes, coupled with these incorrect assumptions, downplayed the evident risk. He stated, Kerri was clearly and eloquently asserting a wish to end her life in earlier comments, and her engaging, intelligent personality likely enabled her to conceal her true intentions to return home and die alone.
Personal Tributes and Aftermath
Ms Donaldson's sister, Cara Donaldson, who transported her home from hospital, left her alone after receiving reassurances she was okay. Cara discovered her body the next morning, with the song You Are So Beautiful playing on repeat. In a heartfelt tribute, Cara described her sister as having a heart of gold, full of fun, and a passionate dance teacher adored by family and friends.
If you are experiencing distress or struggling to cope, support is available through the Samaritans at 116 123 (UK and ROI), via email at jo@samaritans.org, or through their website. In the USA, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for confidential crisis assistance. For international helplines, visit www.befrienders.org.
