Britain’s Got Talent Dancer Found Dead Days After Child Sex Offense Arrest, Inquest Hears

A dancer who once performed on Britain’s Got Talent had allegedly threatened to take her own life before she was arrested on child sex offense allegations and later found dead, a British inquest has heard.

Kerri-Anne Donaldson, 38, was discovered dead at her home in Farnborough, Hampshire, on June 7, 2023. Her death has been ruled an apparent suicide. The details emerged this week during a four-day inquest at Winchester Coroner’s Court examining the events leading up to her death.

Donaldson was a professional dancer who reached the semifinals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2014 as part of the troupe “Kings and Queens.”

According to testimony reported by The Telegraph, the BBC, Sky News and the Basingstoke Gazette, Donaldson had allegedly told a child who later reported her for sex crimes that she would take her own life if the child told anyone about their relationship.

Hampshire Constabulary Detective Constable Benjamin Harris told the court he believed the comments were a manipulative “form of control” rather than a genuine suicide threat.

“In my experience in some offenses it can often be said without wanting to carry it out,” Harris told the inquiry, according to Sky News.

Donaldson was arrested on June 4, 2023, on suspicion of child sex offenses. She denied the allegations during questioning and was later released.

After her release, she did not return home. Her family reported her missing the following day.

On June 5, Donaldson was found unresponsive at a hotel in Woking, Surrey, after an apparent overdose. She was taken to hospital, where she underwent treatment and a mental health assessment the next day.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr. Martin Williams told the inquest that Donaldson appeared calmer during the evaluation and expressed confidence that she could defend herself in court.

“She expressed clearly that she didn't have plans to carry out acts that could lead to her death,” Williams testified, according to Sky News. He added that she seemed less worried about the possibility of prison and believed she had “a good case” to fight the charges.

Following the assessment, medical staff determined she was fit to be discharged. Donaldson’s sister, Cara Donaldson, accompanied her home and stayed with her before eventually leaving after being reassured that she was fine.

However, the next morning, June 7, Donaldson was found dead at her home.

The inquest is examining whether more could have been done to prevent her death, including how authorities and medical professionals responded to her earlier comments and overdose.

Proceedings are expected to continue through Thursday as the court reviews evidence surrounding the circumstances of her final days.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, support is available. In the U.K., Samaritans can be reached at 116 123.