Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse who killed herself after being fooled by a hoax call to the hospital treating the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, had attempted suicide twice before, it was reported yesterday. The 46-year-old was also prescribed anti-depressants by doctors, according to The Sun.

A hoax call made by an Australian radio station initially became the talk of the internet, though in a tragic turn of events, Saldanha was found dead at her home three days later. However, it has now emerged that she first attempted suicide by taking an overdose of pills during a family holiday last December, and was rushed to hospital days later after throwing herself off a building. She was treated for depression and admitted to a psychiatric ward at Father Muller Medical College Hospital in Mangalore, India. Her brother Saveen, 42, said, "We didn't know about the first incident, but we knew about the second."

Two DJ's pretending to be the Queen and Prince Charles called the hospital where Kate Middleton was being treated for severe morning sickness following the announcement that she is expecting her first child. Jacintha put them through to another nurse, who revealed confidential medical details about the Duchess' condition. Prosecutors were last week handed a police file and will decide whether anyone should face charges over the incident.