Letby’s “Tips” on Murder Discussed at Public Inquiry

The public inquiry into Lucy Letby’s offenses was informed that she mentioned to a colleague her ability to provide “tips” on evading detection for murder. Letby was responsible for the deaths of seven infants and tried to kill seven more at the Countess of Chester Hospital during the period of June 2015 to June 2016. Hayley Griffiths, a union representative, developed a friendship with Letby in 2016 after the nurse was reassigned from the neonatal unit to administrative tasks due to medical professionals expressing worries that she might be harming infants. The inquiry also heard a letter from Letby’s parents to hospital executives, alleging she was being blamed unfairly for institutional shortcomings. At Liverpool Town Hall, the Thirlwall Inquiry learned that Letby and Ms. Griffiths conversed about the TV series, How to Get Away with Murder, in early 2017. This WhatsApp conversation occurred one year after the convicted serial killer’s transfer to administrative responsibilities, but a year prior to her initial arrest. The inquiry was informed that Ms. Griffiths communicated to Letby: “I’m currently watching a programme called how to get away with murder. I’m learning some good tips.” Letby’s response was: “I could have given you some tips x” Subsequently, the inquiry heard Ms. Griffiths continue: “I need someone to practice on to see if I can get away with it.” Letby then stated: “I can think of two people you could practice on and will help you cover it up x.” During a separate exchange, Letby messaged Ms. Griffiths regarding presents delivered to her workplace. Letby wrote: “Flowers and fizz for me? How kind.” Ms. Griffiths answered: “You’re worth it my lovely criminal mastermind.” At that period, both individuals were employed in the hospital’s risk and patient safety department, a place where Ms. Griffiths noted “quite a lot of us” formed friendships with Letby. Ms. Griffiths stated that she had been cognizant of worries concerning infant deaths and sudden collapses, and a potential connection to Letby, since September 2016. Shahram Sharghy, who represents some families of Letby’s victims, inquired if she was “making light” of “most serious” allegations, which Ms. Griffiths refuted. Mr. Sharghy posed the question: “Can you even begin to imagine and put yourself in the position of the families of the babies who were harmed when they see those messages?” Ms. Griffiths responded: “I know … I am so remorseful.” Previously, the witness informed Rachel Langdale KC, counsel to the inquiry: “I truly and deeply regret having started that conservation… this is completely unprofessional, poor judgment on my behalf and completely insensitive.” She added: “And for that, I can only apologise from the bottom of my heart.” A letter from Letby’s parents, John and Susan Letby, addressed to trust executives after the resolution of a grievance complaint filed by Letby regarding her transfer from the neonatal unit, was also presented to the inquiry. This grievance was resolved in her favor, subsequently resulting in hospital management requiring consultants to issue an apology to her. The Letbys expressed in writing that they were “shocked to the core” upon initially encountering the “sickening allegations” against their daughter. They stated: “Our daughter has been to hell and back since July.” They continued: “Can you imagine what it is like to know that colleagues are calling you a murderer?“ She has frequently said to us during the last four months, ‘I wouldn’t hurt anything let alone a tiny baby’.” The letter further mentioned: “It has broken our hearts especially as we live a hundred miles away and we are so proud of how Lucy has conducted herself and endured this nightmare. “I have often said to Lucy, ‘how do you keep going’, and she says quite simply ‘because I haven’t done anything wrong’.” Letby’s parents conveyed their apprehension for her well-being, noting she was “suffering inside.” They penned: “When any organisation is in trouble it is the person at the top who is taken to task, not the person at the bottom.” They asserted their belief that the consultants harbored a “personal grudge” against Letby, which they were “at a loss” to comprehend. They concluded: “The overlying question that has kept us awake since the day this all started and no-one has come up with an answer is, ‘why Lucy?’,” Letby is currently serving 15 whole life sentences, having been found guilty by a jury of seven counts of murder and eight counts of attempted murder, which included two attempts against the same infant. The inquiry remains ongoing. Additional reporting was provided by the Press Association. For the best of BBC Radio Merseyside, listeners can tune in on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can also be submitted to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.