TODAY   |  December 11, 2012

Nurse’s family devastated by DJ prank tragedy

The family of nurse Jacintha Saldhana, who was found dead after taking a prank call to Duchess Kate, made their first public appearance, with a member of Parliament delivering a statement on their behalf, saying they were “extremely grateful’’ for the outpouring of condolences. British lawmakers have spoken out, calling her death “an absolute tragedy.” NBC’s Michelle Kosinski reports.

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>>> the hospital where the duchess of cambridge was being treated. the family of the nurse who died after being caught up in the hoax just made their first public appearance since this all happened. michelle kosinski is in london this morning. michelle, good morning to you.

>> reporter: hi, savannah. autopsy results are expected today. many are rallying behind the nurse's family as the official investigation into her death is set to begin. for the first time, the family of nurse jacintha saldanha appeared in public, her devastated teenage children, her husband who held a picture of her. too upset to address the public, a member of parliament did.

>> they are extremely grateful to the public here in the united kingdom and throughout the world who have sent the messages of condolences and support following the death of jacintha, a loving mother and a loving wife.

>> reporter: they visited the nurses' housing where jacintha's body was found. the deejays, whose show has been canceled, gave several tearful interviews.

>> personally, i'm --

>> there's not a minute that goes by that we don't think about her family and what they must be going through and the thought that we may have played a part in that is garriishing.

>> the deejays misrepresented themselves and put themselves in a position to receive highly confidential, highly sensitive information. for that, they should be prosecuted.

>> they're not totally responsible but they were not very sensible, were they? they didn't think.

>> reporter: on facebook, others defend them. stop blaming the presenters, they have done nothing wrong. and from an as you trustralian member of parliament.

>> it was a prank that went horribly wrong. i think all we can do is mourn and grieve for everyone involve involved.

>> reporter: the hospital says it's been in close contact with jacintha's family and just announced a memorial fund in her name and the australian radio says it will donate all its ad revenues through the end of the year to their family. no less, they said, than $500,000. savannah?