Holleran, the radio executive, would not say who came up with the idea for the call. He only said that ‘‘these things are often done collaboratively.’’ He said 2DayFM would work with authorities, but was confident the station hadn’t broken any laws, noting that prank calls in radio have been happening ‘‘for decades.’’

The station has a history of controversy, including a series of ‘‘Heartless Hotline’’ shows in which disadvantage people were offered a prize that could be taken away from them by listeners.

Saldanha’s family asked for privacy in a brief statement issued through London police.

Flowers were left outside the hospital’s nurse’s apartments, with one note reading: ‘‘Dear Jacintha, our thoughts are with you and your family. From all your fellow nurses, we bless your soul. God bless.’’