Letby Stays Proclaiming Innocence as Investigation into Additional Baby Deaths Continues
Convicted murderer Lucy Letby insists on her innocence, according to her lawyer, just hours after British police confirmed she has been questioned regarding additional suspicious infant deaths.
Letby, aged 34, was interviewed under caution concerning the unexpected deaths and collapses of infants at her former workplace, Countess of Chester Hospital, and, for the first time, at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, where she trained as a student, noted Cheshire Police.
She is currently serving a rare whole-life sentence for the murders of seven infants and the attempted murders of seven others during her tenure as a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Mark McDonald, Letby’s attorney, informed the PA news agency: “The police have been leaking information about further inquiries for over a year.”
Mr. McDonald stated that Letby “voluntarily attended an interview,” emphasizing that “she was not arrested.”
He added: “Lucy maintains her innocence and has consistently stated that she has never harmed and would never harm any child.”
“The ongoing leaking and briefing of information by the police since the investigation commenced in 2017 is extremely troubling and must cease.”
“Everyone deserves a fair hearing, and at this point, the police may be hindering that process.”
Earlier, Cheshire Police released a statement confirming: “We can verify that, by mutual agreement, Lucy Letby has recently been interviewed in prison under caution regarding the ongoing investigation into infant deaths and non-fatal collapses at both the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Women’s Hospital.”
“Further updates will be provided.”
Detectives are reviewing the care of approximately 4,000 infants admitted to the hospital during Letby’s time as a neonatal nurse.
This review spans her tenure at the Countess of Chester Hospital from January 2012 to June 2016 and includes two placements at Liverpool Women’s Hospital in 2012 and 2015.
Cheshire Police have previously stressed that only cases identified as medically concerning would undergo further investigation.
Letby, hailing from Hereford, is serving 15 whole-life sentences after being convicted at Manchester Crown Court of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others, with two attempts on one victim, between June 2015 and June 2016.
She is currently incarcerated at HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey, which accommodates category A female prisoners.
The Thirlwall Inquiry, which is examining the Letby case, continues to progress in Liverpool.
Dr. Stephen Brearey, a senior pediatrician in the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester, testified at the public inquiry last month that he believes Letby is “likely” to have harmed or murdered more infants prior to her first victim, a premature twin boy referred to as Baby A, in June 2015.
Dr. Brearey stated during the hearing: “In hindsight, I believe it is probable that Letby did not begin her killing spree in June 2015 or start harming infants at that time.”
“It seems likely that her actions prior to this period over time altered our perception of what we considered abnormal.”
Dr. Brearey noted that the reporting culture on the unit was strong, with staff encouraged to report any issues they believed had occurred.
However, he felt that “in retrospect,” some incidents from June 2015 to June 2016, and “likely before,” were deteriorations in infants that could have prompted further investigation.
The inquiry has revealed that infants’ breathing tubes became dislodged during 40% of the shifts Letby worked at Liverpool Women’s Hospital between October and December 2012, as well as January and February 2015.
