History of Lucy Letby in Timeline
Lucy Letby, a former neonatal nurse in Britain, was convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016. Investigations began after an unusual number of infant deaths occurred at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit, where Letby worked.
2 days ago : Lucy Letby Hospital: Three Arrested for Manslaughter in Baby Murder Investigation
Three leaders at the UK hospital, where Lucy Letby was convicted of murdering babies, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. The investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
January 1990: Lucy Letby's birth
Lucy Letby was born in January 1990.
September 2011: Graduation from University of Chester
In September 2011, Lucy Letby graduated from the University of Chester with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a speciality in child nursing.
December 2011: Placement Course Completion
In December 2011, Lucy Letby completed a placement course at the Liverpool Women's Hospital.
January 2012: Registered Nurse Appointment
In January 2012, Lucy Letby secured an appointment as a registered nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital, beginning her work in the neonatal unit on January 2nd, 2012.
2012: Letby's Work at Liverpool Women's Hospital
From 2012 to 2015, Lucy Letby worked at Liverpool Women's Hospital.
July 2013: Suspension from Administering Controlled Drugs
In July 2013, Lucy Letby and a senior nurse set the infusion rate for a newborn's morphine at 10 times the correct amount, leading to a suspension from administering controlled drugs by the unit's deputy ward manager, which was lifted a week later.
2013: Staff Profile
In a 2013 staff profile, Lucy Letby stated she was responsible for "caring for a wide range of babies requiring various levels of support" and enjoyed "seeing them progress and supporting their families."
March 2014: Completion of Specialization Course
In March 2014, Lucy Letby completed a specialization course in neonatal caring.
2014: Infant Death Due to Incorrect Breathing Tube Insertion
In 2014, an inquest had found that an infant had died in 2014 due to doctors inserting a breathing tube incorrectly at the hospital where Letby worked.
June 2015: Infant deaths at Countess of Chester Hospital
In June 2015, a high number of unexpected infant deaths occurred at the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital, leading to an investigation of Lucy Letby.
June 2015: Unexpected Infant Deaths
In June 2015, four collapses occurred in the same neonatology unit of Countess of Chester Hospital, resulting in three infant deaths. The unit typically only saw two or three deaths a year.
June 2015: Higher than expected Neonatal death rate
Reports by the nationwide MBRRACE-UK project found a neonatal death rate at least 10% higher than expected between June 2015 and June 2016.
August 2015: Infant Death and Twin Became Unwell
In August 2015, an infant, Baby E, died, and his twin, Baby F, became seriously unwell but recovered. During the investigation, unusual blood test results for Baby F and another infant, Baby L, were found, indicating possible insulin poisoning.
2015: Police Investigating Suspicious Incidents
Following the verdict, police investigated whether Lucy Letby harmed other babies. There was an ongoing investigation into "suspicious" incidents at the Countess of Chester Hospital involving about 30 infants. Neonatologists reviewed admissions at the hospital and Liverpool Women's Hospital where she had worked until 2015, identifying "unexpected and unexplained" deteriorations.
2015: Qualification to work with infants in intensive care
In 2015, Lucy Letby qualified to work with infants in intensive care.
2015: Letby's Text Messages and Actions
In 2015, Lucy Letby sent texts described as "live blogging" and displaying "intrusive curiosity" by the Crown Prosecution Service. She offered to do more shifts after a baby's death, had a text exchange about intensive care room assignments, and replied to a text about baby deaths, mentioning "an element of fate".
2015: Mortality Increase Observed
In 2015, the RCPCH observed that the 2015 increase in mortality was not limited to the neonatal unit.
2015: Suspicious Incidents Began
In 2015, the prosecution argued that suspicious incidents began when Lucy Letby qualified to work with infants in intensive care.
2015: Training Placement and Qualification
In early 2015, Lucy Letby went for another training placement at Liverpool Women's Hospital and qualified to work with infants in intensive care.
February 2016: CQC Visit and Concerns
During a hospital visit in February 2016, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) was informed of difficulties in raising concerns with managers, but heard no mention of an elevated mortality rate.
February 2016: Consultant Witnessed Letby with Desaturating Infant
In February 2016, a consultant testified that he found Lucy Letby standing over a desaturating infant without intervening. She told him the infant had just started declining. The infant survived.
April 2016: Antibiotic Administration Error
In April 2016, Lucy Letby administered antibiotics to an infant that was not prescribed them, misclassifying it as a "minor error".
April 2016: Letby Reassigned from Night Shifts
In April 2016, Lucy Letby was reassigned from night shifts to day shifts by the ward manager, which resulted in a shift in the distribution of incidents.
May 2016: Executive Team's Decision
In May 2016, the executive team deemed the spike in deaths to be coincidental and no substantial action was taken.
June 2016: Babies Almost Died Under Letby's Care
Between March and June 2016, three babies almost died while under Lucy Letby's care. Near the end of June, she was caring for triplets, and the consecutive deaths of two boys caused significant distress among staff.
June 2016: Request for Removal from Clinical Duties
In June 2016, Stephen Brearey, lead neonatologist, asked management to remove Lucy Letby from clinical duties pending an investigation into her conduct.
June 2016: Infant deaths at Countess of Chester Hospital
In June 2016, a high number of unexpected infant deaths occurred at the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital, leading to an investigation of Lucy Letby.
June 2016: Transfer from clinical duties
In late June 2016, Lucy Letby was transferred from clinical duties.
June 2016: Brearey's Demand and Executive Response
On 24 June 2016, Stephen Brearey phoned the duty executive following two more deaths, demanding that Lucy Letby be removed from the unit, however the duty executive insisted that Letby was safe to work. The Trust's executive directors discussed involving the police at the end of June, but decided against it.
July 2016: Scaling Back of Unit Services
In July 2016, Lucy Letby was removed from the unit, working her last shift there on June 30th, and the unit's services were scaled back by hospital managers on July 7th, 2016, cutting cot space numbers and increasing the gestational age limit for admission.
July 2016: Transfer to Patient Experience Team
In July 2016, Lucy Letby was transferred to the patient experience team, and later to the risk and patient safety office.
September 2016: Formal Grievance Raised
In September 2016, Lucy Letby raised a formal grievance about her late June 2016 transfer from clinical duties.
September 2016: RCPCH Interviewed Staff
In September 2016, the RCPCH interviewed staff at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The subsequent report concluded that medical and nursing staff levels were inadequate.
September 2016: RCPCH Service Review Initiated
In September 2016, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) was tasked with a general review of the unit's service, and the review was initiated.
October 2016: RCPCH Report
In October 2016, the RCPCH reported they could not find a definitive explanation for the increase in mortality rate at the unit, but found insufficient staffing and senior cover. They also praised Lucy Letby's nursing skills.
December 2016: Meeting with Letby and her Parents
On 22 December 2016, the chief executive met with Lucy Letby and her parents to apologise on behalf of the trust and assure them that the doctors who made the allegations would be "dealt with".
2016: House Purchase
In 2016, Lucy Letby bought a house near the hospital, which was a 20-minute walking distance from her ward.
January 2017: Grievance Upheld
In January 2017, Lucy Letby's grievance was upheld by the board, which determined her removal had been "orchestrated by the consultants with no hard evidence".
February 2017: Letter of Apology
In February 2017, the consultants sent a letter of apology to Lucy Letby, as ordered by the chief executive.
March 2017: Consultants Request Police Involvement
In March 2017, four consultants, including Stephen Brearey and Ravi Jayaram, asked management to involve the police after receiving advice for further investigation from the regional neonatal lead.
April 2017: Meeting with Cheshire Constabulary
On 27 April 2017, Stephen Brearey and Ravi Jayaram met with Cheshire Constabulary to raise their concerns, with Lucy Letby due to return to work on 3 May 2017.
May 2017: Dewi Evans Contacted National Crime Agency
In May 2017, Dewi Evans, a retired paediatrician and professional expert witness, contacted the National Crime Agency via email regarding the investigation.
May 2017: Public Announcement of Police Involvement
In May 2017, the trust publicly announced the involvement of the police, stating this move was to "seek assurances that enable us to rule out unnatural causes of death."
May 2017: Letby due to return to work
Lucy Letby was due to return to work on 3 May 2017.
July 2018: Letby Arrested and Bailed
On 3 July 2018, Lucy Letby was arrested on suspicion of multiple counts of murder and attempted murder. Following her arrest, police expanded their investigation to include her tenure at Liverpool Women's Hospital. She was subsequently bailed on 6 July 2018.
August 2018: Medical Director Retired
In August 2018, the medical director of the Countess of Chester Hospital retired amidst the investigation into the incidents.
September 2018: Chief Executive Resigned
In September 2018, the chief executive of the Countess of Chester Hospital resigned after signing a non-disclosure agreement, amidst the investigation into the incidents.
April 2019: General Statement by Evans
Dewi Evans produced a large number of reports for Cheshire Police including a general statement dated 17 April 2019, as part of the police investigation into Lucy Letby.
June 2019: Letby Rearrested and Bailed Again
In June 2019, specifically on the 10th, Lucy Letby was rearrested, but was bailed again on 13 June 2019.
July 2019: Literature Review by Evans
Dewi Evans produced a review of published literature regarding air embolus in newborn infants dated 3 July 2019, as part of the police investigation into Lucy Letby.
March 2020: Letby Placed on Interim Suspension
In March 2020, on the 13th, while out on bail, Lucy Letby was placed on an interim suspension by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
November 2020: Letby Charged with Murder and Attempted Murder
In November 2020, Lucy Letby was charged with seven counts of murder and fifteen counts of attempted murder relating to seventeen babies and pleaded not guilty.
November 2020: Letby Arrested and Denied Bail
In November 2020, on the 10th, Lucy Letby was arrested again and this time denied bail. Letby denied all charges, citing hospital hygiene and staffing levels as potential issues.
October 2022: Letby's Trial Begins
In October 2022, on the 10th, Lucy Letby's trial commenced at Manchester Crown Court before Mr. Justice Goss. She pleaded not guilty to seven counts of murder and 15 counts of attempted murder. Her parents and the victims' families were present.
May 2023: Letby Gave Evidence in Court
In May 2023, Lucy Letby testified in court. She claimed she felt incompetent but meant no harm, stating the allegations negatively impacted her mental health and isolated her from friends. Her testimony included contradictions and increased frustration, differing from her usual calm demeanor.
August 2023: David Wilson's Opinion Piece and Newsnight Discussion
In August 2023, David Wilson published an opinion piece suggesting Lucy Letby had a "hero complex". He also discussed Letby on Newsnight, arguing healthcare killers target vulnerable victims.
August 2023: Letby's Sentencing and Government Response
In August 2023, Lucy Letby did not attend her sentencing hearing. In response, the government considered changing the law to compel defendants to attend. On 30 August 2023, Rishi Sunak announced legislation to compel attendance, with potential force and added prison time.
August 2023: Letby Found Guilty
In August 2023, Lucy Letby was found guilty on seven counts each of murder and attempted murder.
August 2023: Nursing Director Suspended
In August 2023, the nursing director at the Countess of Chester Hospital at the time Lucy Letby was based there was suspended from her job. The Nursing and Midwifery Council announced an investigation into her fitness to practice.
August 2023: Nursing and Midwifery Council Statement
On 18 August 2023, Andrea Sutcliffe of the Nursing and Midwifery Council stated that Lucy Letby remains suspended and they will seek to strike her off the register.
August 2023: Letby Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
On 21 August 2023, Lucy Letby received a whole life order, the most severe sentence in English law. Justice Goss described her actions as a "cruel, calculated and cynical campaign of child murder" with no remorse or mitigating factors.
August 2023: Inquiry Upgraded to Statutory Inquiry
On 30 August 2023, Health Secretary Steve Barclay upgraded the inquiry to a statutory inquiry, compelling witnesses to give evidence.
September 2023: CPS Confirmed Retrial on Attempted Murder Count
On 25 September 2023, the CPS confirmed a retrial on one of the attempted murder counts against Lucy Letby where the jury couldn't reach a verdict. This retrial was scheduled after the appeal decision.
October 2023: Inquiry Chair Appointed
In October 2023, Lady Justice Thirlwall was appointed to chair the inquiry into the Lucy Letby case.
October 2023: Corporate Manslaughter Investigation Announced
In October 2023, on the 4th, Cheshire Constabulary announced an investigation into corporate manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
November 2023: Inquiry Formally Opened
In November 2023, the terms of reference of the inquiry were updated, and Lady Justice Thirlwall formally opened the inquiry.
December 2023: Letby Removed from Nursing Register
In December 2023, on the 12th, Lucy Letby was removed from the nursing register. She did not accept guilt but did not contest the removal.
2023: Media Reports on Concerns
In 2023, reports from The Guardian and The Times stated that Stephen Brearey was suspicious of Letby beginning in 2015 and accused the hospital of negligence for ignoring his concerns.
January 2024: Letby Held in HM Prison Bronzefield
As of January 2024, Lucy Letby is being held in HM Prison Bronzefield.
January 2024: Letby Applies for Permission to Appeal
In January 2024, Lucy Letby applied to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal her convictions, but the judge refused.
April 2024: Letby Renews Appeal Application
In April 2024, Lucy Letby renewed her application to appeal, and her lawyers presented four grounds of appeal during a three-day hearing.
May 2024: Article Questions Conviction
In May 2024, The New Yorker published an article by Rachel Aviv questioning Lucy Letby's conviction, pointing to staffing shortages, hygiene issues, and previous incidents at the hospital.
May 2024: Report in The New Yorker
In May 2024, staff writer Rachel Aviv for The New Yorker reported that a study of infant deaths in southeast London found that about half of unexpected infant collapses remain unexplained after an autopsy.
May 2024: Permission to Appeal Refused
In May 2024, the Court of Appeal, consisting of three judges, refused Lucy Letby permission to appeal her convictions.
May 2024: Remote Viewing Ruling
On May 29, 2024, the Chair ruled that remote live viewing of the inquiry would be available to Core Participants, their legal representatives, and the media, but not livestreamed to the general public.
June 2024: Retrial Started
On 10 June 2024, the retrial against Lucy Letby began.
July 2024: Letby convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to life imprisonment
In July 2024, Lucy Letby was convicted of an attempted murder charge on which the jury had previously failed to find a verdict. She was then sentenced to life imprisonment with a whole life order.
July 2024: Letby Found Guilty and Sentenced
In July 2024, Lucy Letby was found guilty of attempted murder on 2 July and sentenced to another whole-life order on 5 July 2024.
July 2024: Concerns Published in the Press
Since the conclusion of her second trial in July 2024 and the lifting of associated reporting restrictions, some medical, statistical and scientific experts have expressed doubts about her convictions.
August 2024: Experts Request Inquiry Postponement
In August 2024, a group of experts requested that the inquiry be postponed and its terms changed due to concerns about the safety of Letby's convictions. The inquiry rejected these suggestions.
August 2024: Report of Bacterial Outbreak Leaked
In August 2024, a report was leaked to The Telegraph revealing that the unit where Lucy Letby worked had suffered an outbreak of a dangerous bacteria during the period in which the infants she was convicted of murdering died.
August 2024: Swipe Data Mislabeling Confirmed
In August 2024, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that during the first trial, swipe data for one of the doors to the neonatal unit had been mislabelled such that entries and exits were reversed.
September 2024: New Defence Lawyer Appointed
In September 2024, Lucy Letby appointed Mark McDonald as her new defense lawyer.
September 2024: Notes Written as Part of Therapeutic Process
In September 2024, The Guardian reported that the notes were written on the advice of counsellors as part of a therapeutic process. Richard Curen stated that doodling and journalling is a way of taking control of thoughts and does not relate to a confession.
September 2024: Government Inquiry into Deaths
In September 2024, the British government commissioned an independent statutory inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths associated with Lucy Letby; hearings began in September 2024.
September 2024: Royal Statistical Society Meeting
In September 2024, the Royal Statistical Society held a meeting to discuss concerns about the prosecution's evidence. They made comparisons with miscarriages of justice involving other nurses.
September 2024: Public Inquiry Begins
In September 2024, the public inquiry into the Lucy Letby case began. Witnesses gave testimonies about Letby's behavior.
October 2024: Letby Applies for Permission to Appeal
On 24 October 2024, Lucy Letby applied for permission to appeal her conviction, citing prejudicial media coverage. The Court of Appeal rejected her application.
November 2024: Dewi Evans Acknowledged Pseudomonas in Water Supplies
In a November 2024 interview, Dewi Evans acknowledged the presence of pseudomonas in the neonatal unit's water supplies, leading to cases of pneumonia.
December 2024: New Applications Prepared
In December 2024, Mark McDonald announced that he was preparing new applications to both the Court of Appeal and the Criminal Cases Review Commission, challenging the reliability of the prosecution's expert witness.
2024: Expert Panel Convened
After Lucy Letby's unsuccessful application for leave to appeal in 2024, Shoo Lee convened a panel of 14 medical experts from six countries to review all of the cases from Letby's trials.
2024: Proposed Legislation Regarding Criminal Sentencing
In 2024, a new clause was proposed to the criminal justice bill that would compel convicted criminals to attend their sentencing hearings, by force if necessary, or face the prospect of more time in prison.
2024: Testimony Ruled Inadmissible
In 2024, the Court of Appeal ruled that the testimony of Lee, a prominent neonatologist, was not admissible in Letby's appeal, as he could have been called at the trial and the prosecution's case did not solely rely on skin discolouration to indicate the condition.
2024: Lightfoot Inquiry Statement
In a 2024 inquiry, Nicola Lightfoot stated she had found Lucy Letby to be "cold".
February 2025: Expert Panel Finds No Evidence of Deliberate Harm
In February 2025, a panel of 14 international experts, convened by neonatologist Shoo Lee, presented findings that all incidents could be explained by natural causes and/or substandard care, finding no evidence of deliberate harm.
February 2025: Lee Reports Panel Findings and Calls for Release
On February 3, 2025, Shoo Lee reported that the panel "did not find any murders" and called for Lucy Letby to be immediately released from prison and placed under house arrest until the case can be retried. In parallel, Letby's legal team applied to the Criminal Cases Review Commission to review the case.
February 2025: Legal Team Applies for Case Review and Medical Expert Findings Released
On February 4, 2025, Lucy Letby's legal team applied for her case to be reviewed as a potential miscarriage of justice. Coinciding with this application, findings from a panel of 14 international medical experts, chaired by Shoo Lee, concluded that there was no medical evidence to support claims that Letby deliberately harmed or murdered babies.
March 2025: Inquiry Pause Rejected
In March 2025, Thirlwall rejected the request from Lucy Letby's lawyers and supporters to pause the inquiry while her appeal to the Criminal Cases Review Commission is considered.
November 2025: Report Delivery Planned
Thirlwall plans to deliver her report in November 2025.
2025: Jeremy Hunt Apologises
During the 2025 hearing, former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt apologised to the families of the victims for taking "too long" to act.
Mentioned in this timeline
Liverpool is a port city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside...
The Guardian is a British daily newspaper founded in as...
Rishi Sunak is a British politician who served as Prime...
Electronic mail or email revolutionized communication by providing a digital...
Twins are offspring from the same pregnancy classified as either...
Morphine an opiate derived from opium poppy latex is primarily...
Trending
2 months ago Chase Meidroth Hits First MLB Home Run with Fly Ball to Left Field
1 month ago Camilo Doval Reclaims Closer Role for Giants Amidst Bullpen Changes
14 days ago Justin Verlander Returns to Giants After Injury, Faces Cleveland Guardians.
22 days ago Bella Ramsey on 'The Last of Us' success and fan reactions to season 2.
10 days ago Jung Hoo Lee benched after hitless games, faces player props on June 21.
23 days ago Max Muncy Featured in MLB Best Bets and Prop Picks for June 9, 2025
Popular
Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet from the Sun...
A blue moon is defined in several ways most commonly...
Candace Owens is an American conservative and far-right political commentator...
Melania Trump is a Slovenian-American former model and the current...
Kelley O'Hara is a celebrated American former professional soccer player...
Jeff Bezos is an American businessman renowned as the founder...