Overview

• Karen Rees, former head of nursing at Chester Hospital, has publicly expressed doubts about Lucy Letby’s guilt, citing her emotional distress and apparent sincerity during their interactions.
• Letby, serving 15 whole-life sentences for the murder of seven babies and attempted murder of seven others, has consistently maintained her innocence despite losing two appeals in 2023.
• An international panel of neonatology and child health experts recently concluded that medical explanations, not foul play, accounted for the infant deaths, and their findings are being submitted to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
• Rees revealed she initially supported Letby during the investigation but later issued a statement denouncing her after legal advice, a decision she now regrets.
• The case is under renewed attention as calls grow for Letby’s release under house arrest pending a review of the convictions.