Inquest into death of dancer who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent concludes

Recording death by suicide, HM Area Coroner Jason Pegg noted that a mental health assessment carried out before Kerri-Anne's death relied on incorrect assumptions and was conducted in absence of the relevant medical notes from an assessment the day before - consequently downplaying her level of risk.

A four-day inquest was held at Winchester Coroner's Court, concluding Thursday 19 February 2026.

Kerri-Anne died aged 38, having been found dead at her home in Farnborough, Hampshire, on 7 June 2023. This was three days after she had been arrested and detained in police custody, and following her discharge from hospital after a serious mental health crisis.

The inquest examined the circumstances surrounding Kerri-Anne's death, her release from custody, and the medical care and mental health support she received in the days before her death.

The inquest heard that Kerri-Anne had been released from custody at Aldershot Police Station on the evening of 4 June 2023, without her belongings, and that her family were left urgently trying to establish her welfare and whereabouts.

Kerri-Anne's sister, Cara Donaldson reported Kerri-Anne missing in the early hours of 5 June 2023. She was later found by police after checking into a hotel in Woking, where she had taken an overdose with the intention of ending her life. The police took her to St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey, Surrey.

Cara told the inquest she was told by a mental health professional in hospital on 5 June that Kerri-Anne was seriously unwell and should not be left alone. The same professional told the inquest that she thought Kerri-Anne was intent on taking her life and was a “10/10” risk for suicide at that time she saw her. She put in place an emergency care plan and referred Kerri-Anne for a Mental Health Act assessment to consider whether she needed to be detained for her own safety.

The inquest heard evidence raising concerns about the adequacy of that Mental Health Act assessment, which was carried out the following day, 6 June at the same hospital. Professionals were said to have placed excessive reliance on Kerri-Anne's presentation at the time of assessment, without fully considering the extensive notes made by the nurse who had seen Kerri-Anne 14 hours earlier. 

The consultant psychiatrist who took part in the mental health assessment gave evidence that he made inaccurate assumptions about the gravity of the alleged offence involved, and said that had he had sight of comprehensive nursing documentation, there was a real possibility that the assessment may have led to a different outcome and that Kerri-Anne would have been detained.

Kerri-Anne was discharged on 6 June 2023 with no clear handover, no guidance for her family and no explanation of what support would be put in place, the inquest heard.

The inquest heard concerns about inadequate care and discharge planning; this included a lack of family involvement, and failure to mitigate the ongoing risk to Kerri-Anne. Questions were raised about whether, going forward, greater guidance is needed on information sharing, particularly in respect of when confidentiality duties may be overridden in circumstances where an arrest has been made for serious offences which give rise to a heightened suicide risk.

Kerri-Anne was found dead at her home on 7 June 2023.

Kerri-Anne’s sister Cara Donaldson is represented by Yvonne Kestler, human rights solicitor at law firm Leigh Day.

Cara Donaldson said:

“Kerri-Anne was a much-loved daughter, sister and friend, and our lives have been devastated by her death. She was a vibrant, funny and deeply caring person who brought so much energy into every room. Kerri-Anne devoted her life to dance, as a performer, choreographer and teacher, and she was highly respected and loved within her community. She had so much more life to live.

“We came to this inquest because we needed answers about how Kerri-Anne was treated in the final days of her life, and whether more could have been done to protect her when she was clearly extremely vulnerable. One of the things that continues to haunt us is what happened after Kerri-Anne was taken to hospital. We were told how serious her condition was, and that she should not be left alone. Yet the very next day, there was a sudden shift, and she was discharged with no proper explanation, no clear plan, and no handover to us as her family.

“We are still confused by the severity of the situation one evening, and then how quickly everything changed the next day. We were left without any guidance or support, not knowing what to do, or how to care for someone who had just attempted to take their own life.

“No family should be placed in that position. We hope the conclusion of this inquest leads to real learning and real change, so that other lives can be protected and no other family has to endure the heartbreak that we now live with every day.”

Yvonne Kestler said:

“The inquest has looked at serious concerns about the safeguarding of vulnerable people at critical moments, both in custody and within healthcare settings. Kerri-Anne's family have shown immense courage throughout the process, and they remain determined to ensure lessons are learned to prevent further tragedies.”