The Full Case Review
Justice for Lucy Letby
A catalog of facts, institutional failings, and new expert evidence — drawn from the Thirlwall Inquiry, the February 2025 International Expert Panel, and the ongoing CCRC review.
Between 2015 and 2016, seventeen babies either died or suffered serious collapses on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Lucy Letby was convicted of seven murders and seven attempted murders in 2023 and a further count in 2024. In February 2025, fourteen international neonatologists led by Dr Shoo Lee publicly concluded that they found no medical evidence of deliberate harm in any of the cases reviewed. The case is now under review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Key facts
February 2025 — International Expert Panel
14 international neonatologists examined the evidence.
Convened by Dr Shoo Lee — Professor Emeritus of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto and the lead author of the 1989 air-embolism paper cited by the prosecution — the panel reviewed the medical evidence for every count on the indictment.
- In every case reviewed, the cause of collapse or death was explicable by natural causes, prematurity, or identifiable sub-optimal clinical care.
- The signs of air embolism described at trial do not match those in the medical literature, including Dr Lee's own 1989 paper cited by the prosecution.
- The Roche insulin immunoassay evidence is unreliable for forensic use and was not confirmed by mass spectrometry.
- Staffing levels, unit designation and infant acuity at the Countess of Chester neonatal unit in 2015–2016 were inadequate for the complexity of care being delivered.
"We found no medical evidence of deliberate harm in any of the cases."
— Dr Shoo Lee, speaking at the London press conference, Reported findings: 3 February 2025.
Recent developments
New expert evidence and institutional responses, 2024–2026.
Ongoing 2026
CCRC review continues
The Criminal Cases Review Commission continues its review of the submitted evidence. If referred, the case could return to the Court of Appeal.
October 2025
CCRC application filed with 31+ expert reports
Letby's legal team, led by Mark McDonald, files a formal application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission accompanied by reports from more than 31 independent experts contesting the medical evidence.
July 2025
Three former Countess of Chester executives arrested
Cheshire Police arrest three former senior executives on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the deaths. No charges announced at time of writing.
What happens next?
The Criminal Cases Review Commission is reviewing the submitted evidence. The Thirlwall Inquiry final report is expected after Easter 2026. You can help by sharing the facts.