In a dramatic turn of events, convicted nurse Lucy Letby sent an email to her colleagues, asking for their support and understanding as she faced an investigation into the deaths of several babies under her care. The email, revealed during a public inquiry, showed Letby urging fellow nurses to be “sensitive and supportive” while she was under scrutiny. At the time, Letby claimed she had been “fully exonerated” and expected to return to the neonatal ward where she worked before being removed in July 2016.
Letby Denies Allegations and Calls for Compassion
In the email, dated January 31, 2017, Letby described the allegations as “serious and distressing” for both her and her family. She reassured her colleagues at the Countess of Chester Hospital that the claims had been proven “unfounded and untrue” following a thorough investigation, and that she had received an apology from the hospital’s Trust. “As you can imagine, this whole episode has been distressing for me and my family,” she wrote, asking her coworkers for support as she prepared to return to the unit.
Colleagues ‘Stunned’ by Letby’s Email
Kathryn Percival-Calderbank, one of Letby’s former colleagues, told the inquiry that the staff were “stunned” upon receiving the email, as reported by The Mirror. Despite Letby’s request for sensitivity, Percival-Calderbank claimed that none of the nurses had treated her poorly, despite rumors that Letby was being referred to by derogatory names such as the “angel of death” and the “murderer on the unit.” However, Letby had reportedly complained to hospital management about these labels.
Hospital Leadership’s Response to Concerns
During the inquiry, it was revealed that then-CEO Tony Chambers had instructed staff to “be nice to Lucy” and move on from the allegations after external reviews found no criminal behavior linked to her actions. However, concerns among consultants persisted, leading to Cheshire Police becoming involved in May 2017. Letby’s return to the neonatal ward was ultimately delayed as the investigation deepened.
Lucy Letby’s Continued Employment and Arrest
Despite being under investigation, Letby continued to work at the hospital, though in a clerical capacity, until her arrest 14 months later. The inquiry also heard from Ashley Hudson, another nurse, who said she had no knowledge of the allegations until Letby’s email. Hudson described the hospital’s handling of the investigation as “hush-hush,” revealing that she, like many others, was unaware of the seriousness of the situation until the police stepped in.
Hospital Boss Apologizes for Families’ Trauma
Tony Chambers, who later resigned from his role as CEO, expressed regret during the inquiry for the trauma experienced by the families affected by Letby’s crimes. He stated that he was “truly sorry” for what the families had gone through, acknowledging the emotional toll that the case had taken on everyone involved.
Inquiry Details and Letby’s Conviction
Lucy Letby, now 34, was convicted of the murders of seven newborns and the attempted murders of six others, which occurred between 2015 and 2016. She has since been sentenced to 15 whole-life prison terms. The inquiry, which is set to continue at Liverpool Town Hall until early next year, aims to uncover further details and is expected to publish its findings by autumn 2025.
What’s Next for the Inquiry?
As the inquiry progresses, more revelations are expected to emerge, shedding light on how the hospital managed the situation and the actions taken by both staff and management. Families and the public are eagerly awaiting the full findings, which will offer deeper insights into one of the most shocking cases in recent memory.
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