A coroner has formally opened inquests into the deaths of five newborn babies that Lucy Letby was convicted of murdering, before adjourning proceedings until September. The 20-minute hearing at Cheshire Coroner's Court heard brief details of the deaths, with senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish noting there was 'reason to suspect unnatural deaths' at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Letby, 36, is serving 15 whole-life prison terms for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016. The former neonatal nurse, from Hereford, maintains her innocence, claiming the babies died or became seriously unwell due to poor care and understaffing.
Under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, the inquest outcome must not conflict with criminal convictions. At a hearing last week, Letby's barrister Mark McDonald acknowledged the law but stressed the need to understand how each baby died and highlighted 'systemic failings' at the hospital. Richard Baker KC, representing some bereaved families, warned against using the inquest as a 'collateral attack on the convictions'.
The coroner adjourned the five inquests pending the outcome of a public inquiry by Lady Justice Kathryn Thirlwall, due to report in the coming months. A provisional full hearing is set for 14–25 September, with an internal review on 5 May. An inquest into Child D, originally opened and suspended in 2016, was further suspended, while Baby A's 2016 inquest will not be reopened at the family's request.
Separately, the Criminal Cases Review Commission has been examining Letby's convictions since February last year. She has twice failed to overturn them at the Court of Appeal. Prosecutors announced last month no further charges would be brought after considering 11 new offences, as evidence did not meet the test. Cheshire Constabulary continues investigating three former senior hospital bosses arrested last year on suspicion of corporate or gross negligence manslaughter.
