Inquest Details Arrest of Britain's Got Talent Dancer Before Tragic Death
A psychiatrist has told an inquest that he assessed a Britain's Got Talent dancer as suitable for discharge from hospital after she was arrested on suspicion of child sex offending, noting she appeared settled and her suicide risk had reduced. Kerri-Anne Donaldson, who reached the semi-finals of the ITV show in 2014 with the dance group Kings and Queens, was found dead at her home in Farnborough, Hampshire, on June 7, 2023.
Arrest and Hospital Admission Preceded Death
The Winchester inquest heard that the 38-year-old was arrested on June 4 and questioned at a police station about the sexual offence, which she denied. After going missing and being located at a hotel in Woking, Surrey, she was taken to hospital having taken an overdose. Following her discharge on June 6, Ms Donaldson was found hanged at her home the next morning.
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Martin Williams, one of three mental health professionals who assessed Ms Donaldson before her release from St Peter's Hospital in Surrey, testified that she presented with an acute adjustment reaction to her arrest. He explained that on June 6, her condition had changed from the previous evening, when a psychiatric liaison nurse rated her suicide risk as level 10 out of 10, deeming it high and imminent.
Psychiatrist Describes Risk Assessment as Dynamic Process
Dr Williams stated that his assessment accounted for the earlier high risk but was a dynamic process. He said, I was able to form a snapshot of the risk she was posing at that point, she expressed clearly that she didn't have plans to carry out acts that could lead to her death. He added that Ms Donaldson was warm and personable, open, receptive, and showing appropriate emotions for her situation.
The psychiatrist noted that while they considered the possibility she was masking a higher risk, all indications suggested she was settling and the risk had markedly reduced from the previous day. Ms Donaldson was referred to a home treatment team and was open to speaking with professionals, he testified. She refused to disclose the nature of the offence but told him she no longer believed she was definitely going to go to prison, shifting from a stressed and downbeat state to feeling more confident.
Police Defend Handling of Sensitive Information
Detective Chief Superintendent Sarah McConnell of Hampshire Constabulary said the officer who conducted an enhanced risk assessment of Ms Donaldson in hospital acted appropriately by not revealing the offence details to medical staff. She explained the form is used to assess mental health in suspects of certain offences, including what she described for this case as child sex offending.
Ms McConnell stated the assessment wasn't designed for response officers but was likely used as a belt and braces approach. With Ms Donaldson present and able to speak for herself, she made no criticism of the officer's decision. The inquest continues, examining the circumstances leading up to the tragic death of the former talent show contestant.
