The Britain’s Got Talent dancer Kerri-Anne Donaldson allegedly told her sexual offence accuser that she would take her own life if their claim was made public, an inquest has heard.
Kerri-Anne Donaldson, 38, who appeared in the 2014 series of the ITV programme as a member of dance group Kings and Queen, reaching the semi-finals, was found dead at her home in Farnborough, Hampshire, on 7 June 2023.
Proceedings at Winchester Coroner’s Court heard that she had been arrested on June 4 and interviewed by police in relation to what was described as a ‘sexual’ offence. The court was told she denied the allegation.
Three days after being released from custody, Donaldson was discovered dead by her sister Cara Donaldson, after calls had gone unanswered.
She found a handwritten note at the top of the stairs which read: ‘Call 999, do not come in. I am sorry.’ The inquest heard that the cause of death was given as hanging, according to The Sun.
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Detective Constable Benjamin Harris, of Hampshire Constabulary, led the investigation into the accusation against Donaldson and spoke at the inquest on Tuesday.
The DC said the dancer’s accuser had told police she threatened to take her own life ‘if someone finds out’ about the allegation and went on to tell the court that he had considered the comments a possible ‘form of control’ after the claim.
He said: ‘In my experience in some offences it can often be said without wanting to carry it out.’
The DC went on to say that the suggestion of self-harm was a matter that the force ‘take very seriously’. He told the inquest he reported it to his senior officers and advised his colleagues who arrested Donaldson.
He graded the dancer’s risk of self-harm as ‘standard’, but later said that ‘with the benefits of hindsight’ he should have included a question about the comments when making the risk assessment.
He added: ‘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. When that was spoken about with her she gave no indication that would happen.’
He went on to claim Donaldson told him she had previously seen a counsellor, adding: ‘She knew how to get help and she was in no way considering harming herself.’
Paying tribute, Donaldson’s sister Cara described her as having a ‘heart of gold’ and said she ‘brought happiness’ to those around her. She said she was devoted to her family and friends, and passionate about choreography and teaching dance.
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