Lucy Letby, the former neonatal nurse convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill seven others, has been interviewed by police in prison as part of ongoing investigations into more deaths at two hospitals. Cheshire Constabulary confirmed that Letby was questioned under caution regarding incidents at the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
Letby, who is serving 15 whole-life sentences for the murders and attempted murders that occurred between 2015 and 2016, has maintained her innocence. Her lawyer, Mark McDonald, stated that she voluntarily attended the police interview and was not arrested. He also expressed surprise at the timing of police statements on the investigation, which had been ongoing for over a year.
The investigation, which was revealed following a report in the Daily Mail, involves further scrutiny of Letby’s time at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Cheshire Constabulary is reviewing over 4,000 admissions to neonatal units where Letby was present, examining potential links to additional deaths and collapses.
The focus on Letby’s actions at Liverpool intensified following revelations by BBC Panorama in October, which showed that nearly one-third of Letby’s shifts at Liverpool Women’s Hospital involved potentially life-threatening incidents. In one case, a baby boy collapsed in 2012, with unusual findings indicating possible foul play. Additionally, Panorama uncovered evidence suggesting Letby may have poisoned a baby boy with insulin during her time at the Countess of Chester Hospital—an incident not part of her original trial.
Letby’s ongoing legal battles have sparked significant debate over the medical evidence used in her conviction. Experts have questioned the scientific basis of her trial, and her legal team plans to appeal to the Criminal Cases Review Commission in 2025, seeking a review of her case.
The Thirlwall Inquiry is currently investigating the wider implications of Letby’s actions within the NHS. Recent testimonies have raised further concerns, including a report from Dr. Stephen Breary, the lead paediatric consultant at the Countess of Chester, who suggested that Letby may have been harming babies before 2015. Additionally, an audit conducted by Liverpool Women’s Hospital found an unusually high rate of incidents involving dislodged breathing tubes during Letby’s shifts.
Despite the ongoing investigations, Letby’s defense continues to assert her innocence, with McDonald emphasizing that she “has never and would never harm any child.”