The case of Lucy Letby, Britain’s most notorious child serial killer, continues to spark debate and emotional reactions. Letby, a former neonatal nurse, is serving 15 life sentences for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill seven more between 2015 and 2016. Despite her convictions, she maintains her innocence. Recently, her former boss, Karen Rees, shared her emotional experience with Letby, revealing her initial belief in the nurse’s innocence and her regrets about publicly condemning her.
Emotional Meetings and Early Support
Karen Rees, who was the head of nursing at the Countess of Chester Hospital until her retirement in 2018, described tearful weekly meetings with Letby after she was removed from the neonatal ward. Rees recalled how Letby “cried in my arms” and repeatedly insisted she had done nothing wrong.
“She was crying … very distressed every time we met her, saying: ‘Why is this happening to me?’” Rees shared in an interview with The Sunday Times. Letby often expressed her determination not to be “driven out of the job she loved.”
Rees admitted that if Letby had been acting, “she deserves an Oscar” for how convincing her distress appeared. At the time, Rees said she trusted Letby’s ward manager, who had spoken highly of her work and professionalism.
Shifting Beliefs and Public Condemnation
In 2023, after Letby’s conviction, Rees publicly stated she was convinced of the nurse’s guilt, having seen the evidence. However, she now regrets those words, saying she was advised by her lawyers to distance herself from Letby.
“I believed Lucy when she told me she had done nothing wrong,” Rees explained. “I will always recall her saying to me: ‘You’re the only person, Karen, that hasn’t asked me if I did it.’”
Her emotional involvement with Letby was highlighted during the Thirlwall inquiry, where messages of support she sent to Letby were revealed. In one text, she wrote, “Hang on in there girl … your nursing team are fully behind you. We will get through this.” Even months after the police were involved, she texted Letby in December 2017, saying, “We’ll continue to fight for you.”
New Report Challenges Convictions
The case took another twist recently when an international panel of medical experts claimed they found no evidence that Letby harmed the babies. According to their findings, the infants had either received poor medical care or died of natural causes. This report has reignited debates about the case, though UK courts have twice denied Letby’s requests to appeal her convictions.
The Emotional Toll on All Involved
The Letby case has deeply affected many people, from grieving parents to medical staff who worked with her. Rees admitted to becoming too close to Letby and now struggles with her mixed emotions. She feels remorse for trusting Letby but also regrets publicly disowning someone she once supported.
Ongoing Inquiry and Unanswered Questions
The Thirlwall inquiry continues to investigate the events surrounding the deaths and the hospital’s response. It will likely examine the conflicting opinions on Letby’s guilt, the hospital’s internal actions, and the emotional toll on staff like Rees.
Lucy Letby’s case remains one of the most shocking and debated criminal cases in modern British history. Her former boss, Karen Rees, offers a glimpse into the complex emotions and conflicting beliefs surrounding the case. As the inquiry continues, the search for definitive answers—and justice for the victims—goes on.
| Visit for More News and Updates | WSOA NEWS |
