The public inquiry surrounding the shocking case of Lucy Letby, the neonatal nurse convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to kill seven others, has taken another alarming turn. A senior doctor involved with the case revealed evidence indicating Letby may have committed additional crimes prior to her first recorded murder on June 8, 2015.
Dr. Stephen Brearey, the lead neonatal consultant at the Countess of Chester Hospital where Letby worked, stated during the inquiry, "On reflection, I think it’s likely Letby didn’t start becoming a killer or didn’t start harming babies in June 2015. I think it’s likely her actions prior to then over a period of time changed what we perceived to be abnormal.” This statement opens the door to the possibility of earlier crimes, reinforcing the suspicions of family members and hospital staff alike.
The inquiry, chaired by Lady Justice Thirlwall, is delving deep to understand the circumstances leading to Letby's horrific actions. Dr. Brearey explained he had led the group of concerned consultants who had been raising alarms about Letby’s behavior at the hospital. Despite clear warning signs, the hospital’s management appeared slow to act. It wasn’t until seven children had died and almost as many were presumed targeted by Letby, did serious concern arise.
During the inquiry, Dr. Brearey articulated sentiments of disbelief about the manner of management's approach. His tone was filled with regret as he noted the hospital's culture was strong when it came to reporting issues and concerns. Yet, the many alarming incidents between June 2015 and June 2016, which he now believes warranted closer inspection, went without thorough investigation at the time.
Dr. Brearey recalled of the meetings post-2016 where Letby’s continued employment was discussed, noting how the atmosphere seemed choreographed to placate Letby rather than taking action to protect the vulnerable infants. At one point, he and six other consultants were instructed to apologize to Letby after bringing forward concerns about her. "How you can start a meeting saying you follow 'Speak Out Safely' practices and then tell all seven consultants with significant concerns they have to apologize to the person?" Brearey remarked, echoing widespread disbelief at the hospital's poor handling of the growing crisis.
Another shocking admission from Dr. Brearey was his initial reaction upon learning Letby was the only staff member present at the various incidents where infants died unexpectedly: "Oh no, not Lucy. Not nice Lucy.” Even when three infants died consecutively under suspicious circumstances, alarm bells were slow to ring across the board.
The detailed inquiry is still collecting evidence and making sense of the myriad incidents at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The deeply embedded culture of caution and misunderstanding within such institutions raises significant concerns about accountability and oversight within the NHS as well.
Understanding Letby’s timeline is no small task. From 2012 until her arrest in 2018, more than 4,000 infants were treated at the hospital. Evidence is currently being compiled to examine not only her actions at Chester but also at prior placements, including Liverpool Women’s Hospital. A review by the Cheshire Constabulary is examining how many of those infants were possibly affected and the broader concerns surrounding their care during her tenure.
While the judicial process proceeds, families affected by Letby's actions continue to seek justice and clarity about the series of events leading to their devastating losses.
"I’m sorry for my part in not being able to protect your babies," Dr. Brearey told the families as the inquiry unearthed more grim possibilities surrounding Letby's case. It is yet unclear what the full impact of this inquiry will be on those involved, and the findings are expected to be published by late autumn 2025, which means the quest for healing and closure will be long and fraught for the grieving families.
