Nurse, 29, is re-arrested by police on suspicion of murdering eight babies and attempted murder of nine more at hospital’s neo-natal unit
- Lucy Letby was arrested last year after the deaths of infants at Chester hospital
- She was questioned last July over the alleged murder of six babies at the hospital
- Nurse was today re-arrested over three additional alleged attempted murders
By Richard Spillett, Crime Correspondent For Mailonline
Published: 04:44 EDT, 10 June 2019 | Updated: 08:39 EDT, 10 June 2019
A nurse has been re-arrested by police investigating the deaths of 17 babies at a Cheshire hospital.
Lucy Letby was arrested last July by detectives examining deaths of infants at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016.
The 29 year old was originally questioned over the alleged murders of eight babies and the attempted murders of six others.
Police say they are now examining the alleged attempted murders of three other newborns at the hospital’s neo-natal unit, taking the total number of potential victims to 17.
Lucy Letby, 28, was initially arrested last July on suspicion of the murder of eight babies and the attempted murder of six other infants as part of a police inquiry into the deaths of 17 babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital. She has been re-arrested this morning
Police raided her house again today, almost a year after they first searched the property
Cheshire Police Detective Inspector Paul Hughes, who is in charge of the investigation, said today: ‘As part of our ongoing investigation we have today re-arrested the healthcare professional on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of six babies.
‘She has also been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of three additional babies. The woman is currently in custody helping officers with their enquiries.’
The police probe, launched in May 2017, initially looked at the deaths of 15 babies between June 2015 and June 2016.
The probe has since widened and police are currently investigating the deaths of 17 babies and 16 non-fatal collapses between March 2015 and July 2016.
After they first arrested Letby last year, police searched her £180,000 semi-detached home in Chester. Officers also searched Letby’s parents’ home in Hereford. Letby has been on bail since.
Parents of the babies involved have been informed of today’s developments and are being supported by specialist officers, the police said this morning.
Police said Letby’s rearrest was part of the ‘highly complex and very sensitive case’
Police searched Letby’s semi-detached house in Chester after her initial arrest last summer
Police returned to the property today. A forensics tent was again put up outside
DI Paul Hughes added: ‘I would like to reassure people that we are doing everything we can as quickly as we can to identify what has led to these baby deaths and collapses.
‘Due to the nature of this investigation it is extremely challenging but it is important to remember that it is very much active and ongoing – there are no set timescales and we remain committed to carrying out a thorough investigation as soon as possible.
‘At this stage, we are unable to go into any further details about the investigation but as soon as we can provide any further updates we will do.’
Letby began working at Chester Hospital after graduating from Chester University in 2011, and has a clean record with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. She was the face of a campaign to raise £3 million for the unit.
The probe is investigating the deaths of 17 babies and 16 non-fatal collapses between March 2015 and July 2016. Police were at the hospital today
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