Liv Thomson
Since news broke of Lucy Letby’s rare whole-life sentence for the murder of seven babies, too much commentary only refers to her as a former neonatal nurse or 33-year-old woman. Let’s call her what she is: the UK’s most prolific child serial killer.
Who is Lucy Letby?
Lucy Letby is one of only 71 criminals to be handed a whole of life order, and only the fourth woman in UK history to receive such sentencing.
Previously, Letby worked as a neonatal nurse on the special care ward at Countess of Chester Hospital in Manchester. The hospital had employed Letby from 2011 until her arrest in 2018. Charges were brought against her for crimes committed between June 2015 and June 2016.
”To me, [Letby] seems to be extremely lacking in empathy”
In a BBC interview, the neonatal unit’s lead consultant Dr Stephen Breary spoke about how unphased Letby had seemed about the infant deaths when offered time off. This is perhaps not a red flag in itself, as people cope with things in their own way, after all.
However, damning evidence in her diary entries – including comments which state “I am evil, I did this”, but also “I don’t know if I killed them” – points to someone with a very disordered state of mind, perhaps in denial over her own crimes.
To me, she seems to be extremely lacking in empathy. I would not be surprised if she attempted to be deliberately contradictory in her diary entries, in order to confuse authorities should she be caught. It would be a calculated move, just as each of the murders were.
Failure in management
S0, why was nothing done about Letby when the alarm was initially raised? It cannot be denied that failures in management are likely linked to the needless deaths of these infants. And the answer to me, seems simple: preservation of reputation.
Senior hospital management threatened to report those lodging complaints against Letby to the General Medical Council. This is indicative of serious shortcomings in the running of the hospital, and points to the desperate need for reform in reporting in public services such as the NHS.
”Accountability was not taken for Letby while her crimes were being committed, in spite of several reports against her”
The doctors and consultants who had reported Letby were also made to formally apologise to her for the “stress and upset” they may have caused. This absolutely boils my blood. All the people voicing their concerns, following protocol, and remaining professional throughout were stigmatised as whistleblowers and made to grovel – only for their greatest fears to later be realised.
Alison Kelly, former nursing manager at Countess, has now been suspended. Given the circumstances and the irrefutable evidence indicating their ignorance about claims of Letby’s conduct, this was decidedly the right move. Accountability was not taken for Letby while her crimes were being committed, in spite of several reports against her. But it is being taken now.
It appears to me that the Countess was trying to avoid a scandal by ignoring the claims against Letby. But they have ended up in a far worse position now than they would if Letby was removed from the ward after the initial complaint.
The criminal stereotype
The Countess simply may not have wanted to believe someone like Letby could be a killer. At first glance, she is incredibly ordinary: a young, physically attractive woman, seemingly pleasant, in a good job.
Those of us not directly impacted by Letby’s crimes – including the media – may be able to view her in a distanced way, curious as to her motive, almost disbelieving, while her victims (rightfully) may not.
”The concept of “looking” like a serial killer ought to be taken with a pinch of salt”
Is it perhaps too uncomfortable a truth to face, that someone who looks like Letby could be (and is) a killer? It also begs the question: if Lucy Letby doesn’t look like a killer, then what does the stereotypical killer look like?
Well, for the most part…there really isn’t one profile.
Criminal bias would have people believe that criminals should look a certain way – heavily tattooed, potentially muscular, usually a man. So the idea that a young, normal woman (who would be considered moderately attractive) can be sobering. A harsh reminder to all of us that we don’t know what people are capable of. That anyone can be a killer.
Look at Ted Bundy. A man constantly described as charismatic, charming, and handsome, who would go on to openly admit to the rape and murder of at least 30 women between 1974 and 1978.
Also, Fred and Rose West (the latter of whom Letby has been compared to) were seen as pillars of the community, just average family people. Meanwhile, in reality, they were responsible for the deaths of at least 12 women and young girls.
So, the concept of “looking” like a serial killer ought to be taken with a pinch of salt. There’s no one stereotype. Often, it can be – and is – the people we least suspect.
The Countess’ future
With Letby now certain never to return to society, the Countess Hospital must work on rebuilding its trust with families and the community. They must review their approach to official complaints and reports filed against members of staff. The hostile attitude towards whistleblowers (which seems the incorrect term) ought not to be the foundation of a workplace, especially where patient care is concerned.
Letby’s crimes will haunt the neonatal ward of the Countess for years to come. It’s crucial that the next steps taken are the right ones, for the sake of future babies and families, to ensure their safety and comfort.
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Featured image courtesy of Hush Naidoo Jade on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license can be found here.
Liv Thomson
Just another argumentative antithetical dream girl trying her best to make her sentences pretty. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology and is currently pursuing a Master's in broadcast journalism.