Lucy Letby is a former neonatal nurse convicted in the UK for murdering seven infants and attempting to murder several others at Countess of Chester Hospital. Her case drew widespread attention due to the horrific nature of the crimes and ongoing debates about the evidence.
Background
Lucy Letby, born in 1990, worked in the neonatal unit at Countess of Chester Hospital starting in 2011. Before 2015, infant death rates there were typical for similar units, but a sharp rise in collapses and deaths occurred during her shifts from 2015-2016.
Charges and Methods
She faced 22 charges: seven murders (five boys, two girls) and 15 attempted murders. Prosecutors alleged she killed by injecting air, overfeeding milk/insulin, or tampering with medical equipment, often targeting vulnerable premature babies. Examples include twins Child O and P, where one suffered air injection leading to collapse.​
Trial Details
The trial ran from October 2022 to August 2023 at Manchester Crown Court, with a retrial in 2024 for one count. She was convicted on 14-15 counts (sources vary slightly), with some majority verdicts. Colleagues testified to her unusual behavior, like hindering help or falsifying notes.
Sentencing and Appeals
Letby received a whole life order—life without parole—on August 21, 2023, only the fourth woman in UK history to get it. She appealed twice unsuccessfully, though recent expert reviews (2025) questioned evidence, prompting a Criminal Cases Review Commission referral.
Recent Developments
A Netflix documentary, The Investigation of Lucy Letby, premiered in February 2026, featuring arrest footage and interviews claiming misrepresented research. No overturn yet, but the case highlights neonatal care flaws.
