An inquest has heard the final tragic days of Britain’s Got Talent star Kerri-Anne Donaldson, who was found dead at her home three days after her arrest on suspicion of a sexual offence, which she denied.
Who was Kerri-Anne Donaldson?
Kerri-Anne Donaldson was a 38-year-old dancer and choreographer from Farnborough, Hampshire. She reached the semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2014 as part of the Latin dance troupe Kings and Queens. Her sister Cara described her as having a “heart of gold, full of fun, brought happiness to life.”
“Her main passion was to choreograph dancing,” Cara told the inquest.
What happened in the days before her death?
The inquest heard that Donaldson was arrested on June 4, 2023, and questioned at a police station about a “sexual” offence. She denied the allegation.
Following her release from custody, Donaldson failed to return home, prompting her family to report her as missing. She was later found at a Travelodge hotel in Woking, Surrey, after taking an overdose.
Did she receive medical help?
Yes. Donaldson was taken to St Peter’s Hospital in Surrey. Her sister Cara said Donaldson told an emergency doctor at the hospital that she had wanted to kill herself. Cara drove her sister home on June 6, the day before she was found dead.
What concerns did the family raise?
Cara told the inquest the family had not been given any care plan or advice on how to assist the star when they left the hospital. She said she asked her sister about the allegation and was told she was not guilty and that it had “all been constructed.”
Cara spent the evening with her sister and was reluctant to leave her alone.
What were Kerri-Anne’s final messages?
Cara told the inquest she said to her sister: “If you do anything, Kerri, that will always be on my shoulders.”
“[Kerri-Anne] joked ‘I am not going to do that’, so I left,” Cara said. “One of the last messages was ‘Thanks for everything today’ and she gave a heart emoji, I just thought she was OK.”
How was Kerri-Anne Donaldson found?
When Donaldson did not answer the phone the next morning, Cara went round to her home. She discovered her sister dead. There was a note at the top of the stairs urging her sister not to come inside. Photos of her dog and family were also discovered at the scene.
The song “You are so Beautiful” was playing when Kerri-Anne was found.
Kerri-Anne Donaldson cause of death
The court was told Donaldson’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.
How did the dance world react?
Fellow dancers paid emotional tributes following her death. Professional dancer Neil Jones 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.”
“Kerri you were my friend and like my big sister,” he added. Ex-Strictly dancer Joanne Clifton paid her respects to the “beautiful dancer.”
“I have no words… This is just heartbreaking.. truly devastating,” Clifton said. “We’ve known you and shared the dance floor with you basically all our lives. Dance up there with the angels Kerri.. you beautiful dancer, you beautiful soul.” Amy Dowden wrote: “So shocked and sad. Such a beautiful dancer and kind soul.”
What was Kings and Queens?
Kings and Queens was a Latin dance troupe that became a big hit with Britain’s Got Talent fans. The group made it all the way to the semi-final of the ITV show in 2014. Donaldson’s main passion was choreography, according to her sister.
Kerri-Anne Donaldson Death: FAQs
Q: How old was Kerri-Anne Donaldson when she died?
A: She was 38 years old.
Q: When did she appear on Britain’s Got Talent?
A: She reached the semi-final of the ITV show in 2014 as part of Kings and Queens.
Q: What was the allegation against her?
A: She was arrested on suspicion of a “sexual” offence on June 4, 2023, which she denied.
Q: How long after her arrest was she found dead?
A: She was discovered at her home in Farnborough three days later, on June 7, 2023.
Q: Who found her?
A: Her sister Cara Donaldson discovered her body.
Q: What did the post mortem find?
A: The cause of death was given as hanging, with non-fatal levels of medication in her blood consistent with an overdose as per reports.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
