Former RTE Dancing with the Stars pro dancer Kerri-Anne Donaldson was tragically found dead days after being discharged from hospital.
The 38-year-old first found fame on the ITV series Britain's Got Talent with the dance troupe Kings and Queens in 2014. She performed alongside Neil and Katya Jones and Kai Widdrington, who went on to star in Strictly Come Dancing.
Kerri-Anne joined RTE's Dancing with the Stars in 2020 after a cast shake-up and she remained on the series for three seasons working on the weekly pro dance routines, reports The Mirror.
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However, tragically, Kerri-Anne was found dead at her home in Farnborough, Hampshire, in June last year. She was found hanged at the property days after she had been held in police custody for an undisclosed reason, Winchester Coroner's Court heard today.
Kerri-Anne had earlier been reported missing, before being found a short time later. The dancer was then admitted to a hospital in Lyne, Surrey, but was discharged days before her death.
Coroner, Jason Pegg, told a pre-inquest review hearing today that a post-mortem examination carried out after her death concluded that Kerri-Anne had tragically had died by "hanging". The last time the dancer was seen was at 11am on June 6. A full inquest hearing has been scheduled for next year, reports Solent News.
The talented performer's death came after Kerri-Anne revealed "inner demons" in a haunting last social media post. On March 16 last year, the 38-year-old alluded to financial difficulties, sharing: "The last two years have challenged me beyond belief, it’s definitely not all been sunshine and rainbows. My career was hit so badly that indeed, it affected my financial situation.
"My future prospects were put on hold for the foreseeable, and my motivation was becoming harder to maintain. I have admittedly had moments of self doubt and anxiety, and I have had to take action to save myself from those dark places that are very hard to return from."
Admitting her life wasn't as "shiny as it seems", she concluded: "So the world wants perfection, and here I am, the furthest thing from it. I am now stuck in a hamster wheel, trying to move forward without admitting to anyone, including myself, that my life isn’t as shiny as it seems."
Kerri-Anne's death was confirmed by her older sister, Cara Donaldson on Facebook. Sharing heartbreaking family pictures, she wrote: "My heart hurts and my world has just collapsed around me.
"My beautiful baby sister is no longer with us and I don't know how to process it. I love you Kerri, you're my best friend, we were inseparable and right now I don't know how to fill the void. Be peaceful and hold Nan tight."
Following the devastating news, Strictly stars payed tribute to Kerri-Anne as dancer, Joanne Clifton, posted: "I have no words… This is just heartbreaking.. truly devastating. 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. Sending love to all your family and friends. Heaven has certainly gained an angel. Keep dancing up there lovely."
Meanwhile, fellow Kings and Queens star, Neil Jones shared: "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."
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