An inquest has heard that Britain's Got Talent performer Kerri-Anne Donaldson was taken into custody on suspicion of "child sex offending" just three days before she was discovered dead at her Hampshire home.
The 38-year-old dancer, who competed in the 2014 series as part of the Latin dance group Kings and Queens, was found hanged at her Farnborough home on June 7, 2023.
Detective Chief Superintendent Sarah McConnell informed Winchester Coroner's Court on Wednesday that Ms Donaldson had been accused of committing "a sexual offence against a child".
No further specifics regarding the allegation have been made public.
The inquest into Britain's Got Talent star Kerri-Anne Donaldson's death continues
|Ms Donaldson was detained at Aldershot police station on June 4, 2023, and questioned about the accusation, which she denied, before being released.
Police conducted an enhanced risk assessment following Ms Donaldson's arrest because the type of offence she faced was linked to a heightened likelihood of self-harm or suicide, the court was told.
DCS McConnell, who was not part of the original investigation but attended to explain the risk assessment process, stated: "There was a study that identified a list of characteristics of offenders as putting them at increased risk of self-harm or suicide."
She noted that Ms Donaldson's circumstances were somewhat unusual, as she had been arrested but not formally charged at the time of her death.
Kerri-Anne Donaldson died in 2023
|INSATGRAM
Following her release from custody, Ms Donaldson failed to return home, prompting her family to report her missing. She was subsequently located at a Travelodge hotel in Woking, Surrey, having taken an overdose.
She was taken to hospital and was later discharged before being found hanged in her home.
Her sister Cara told the inquest that Ms Donaldson informed an emergency doctor at St Peter's Hospital that she had wanted to end her life. Cara recalled: "I just wanted to hug her."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
During the drive home on June 6, Ms Donaldson revealed she had decided to take her own life upon leaving the police station, the court heard.
Cara said the family received no care plan or guidance on supporting her sister after hospital discharge.
She spent the evening with Ms Donaldson and was hesitant to leave, telling her: "If you do anything, Kerri, that will always be on my shoulders."
The following morning, Cara discovered a note at the top of the stairs reading: "Call 999, don't come in, I'm sorry."
Kerri-Anne Donaldson appeared on ITV's Britain's Got Talent in 2014 as part of Latin dance troupe, Kings and Queens
|ITV
Ms Donaldson rose to prominence as part of the Kings and Queens Latin dance troupe, which reached the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent in 2014.
She performed alongside Neil and Katya Jones and Kai Widdrington, all of whom went on to become professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing.
Paying tribute following her death, Neil Jones wrote on social media: "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."
He added: "Kerri you were my friend and like my big sister."
Cara described her sister as having a "heart of gold, full of fun" who "brought happiness to life" and was a "fantastic dance teacher" beloved by her community.
The four-day inquest continues.