A nurse convicted of murder

Lucy Letby, a nurse at Countess of Chester Hospital, was found guilty of murdering babies and sentenced to life in prison three years ago.

A massive inquiry begins

The government launched the Thirlwall Inquiry, which took three years, sixty days of hearings, and cost twenty-four million dollars.

Medical evidence falls apart

The prosecution claimed Letby injected air into babies' bloodstreams, relying on a 1989 paper whose co-author says was misinterpreted.

Fourteen experts find no evidence

Neonatologist Shoo Lee assembled a panel of fourteen medical experts who reviewed thirty-five thousand pages and found no evidence Letby harmed anyone.

“In all cases, death or injury were due to natural causes or just bad medical care.”

A former health secretary changes his mind

Jeremy Hunt, who was Health Secretary during the deaths, now says concerns about the case must be addressed urgently.

“If the deaths were caused by medical errors mistaken for murder, lessons will not be learned and more babies will die.”

Scientists ask to pause the inquiry

Twenty-four clinicians and scientists asked to postpone the inquiry, warning it might miss the real causes of deaths at the hospital.

The inquiry refuses to reconsider

Lady Justice Thirlwall declined to explore alternative theories about the deaths, keeping the inquiry focused on Letby's guilt.

“It is not for me in the discharge of my duties to seek to explore alternative theories about the deaths.”

Nurses defended Letby from the start

Records from the inquiry show nurses on Letby's unit consistently defended her against doctors' accusations but were dismissed.

A gut feeling, not evidence

When pediatrician Stephen Brearey first accused Letby, nursing head Karen Rees asked for evidence. He offered only a gut feeling and a drawer of doom.

“I can't remove a nurse from a clinical practice just because of gut feeling and a drawer of doom.”

Doctors admit their suspicion is subjective

At a meeting with hospital executives, pediatrician Ravi Jayaram acknowledged their suspicion of Letby was entirely subjective.

Nurses saw it as a witch hunt

The neonatal unit's deputy manager said she found it very difficult to act on something she didn't believe in, calling it a witch hunt.

“I found it very difficult to act on something I didn't believe in, it was a witch-hunt.”

Letby was flexible and skilled

Neonatal manager Eirian Powell said Letby was present for so many deaths because she was amenable, flexible, and one of the best nurses.

Nursing leaders call removal immoral

The director of nursing called Letby's removal from the ward wrong and immoral, warning it sent a message that doctors were believed over nurses.

“It is clear that the 2 consultants call the shots.”

Letby wanted police involvement

At her grievance hearing, Letby said she had nothing to hide and was happy for police to investigate.

“I was happy for the Police to come. I had nothing to hide.”

Two reviews found no deliberate harm

The hospital commissioned two independent reviews of the deaths. Neither identified signs of deliberate harm.

Doctors bypass hospital executives

After the reviews cleared Letby, pediatrician Jayaram sent an email directly to police, bypassing hospital executives.

Police find doctors very powerful

The police superintendent said his meeting with the doctors was powerful. That day, police launched a criminal investigation.

“I can't describe how powerful it was. They were just very powerful in what they were saying.”

Letby's bosses now face charges

Three of Letby's bosses were arrested in June 2025 on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter for failing to stop her sooner.

A doctor dies after dismissal

A doctor who testified about supportive messages to Letby was fired from his job. A day later, he was found collapsed and eventually died.

Thirty-seven nurses still say no

When asked if they had concerns about Letby's conduct, all but two of thirty-seven nurses and midwives said no, often emphatically.

“Lucy did not commit any crimes. If there had been CCTV the footage would have proved her innocence.”