Lucy Letby Case Update: What’s Happening Now After 15 Whole-Life Sentences

Former neonatal nurse Lucy Letby remains in prison serving 15 whole-life sentences after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital in England. Her convictions currently remain in force.

Her appeals have already been rejected

Letby’s direct appeals were rejected in 2024. After her original convictions, she was also retried over one attempted-murder charge and convicted again, receiving an additional whole-life order. A subsequent appeal concerning that conviction was also rejected.

Her case is now under CCRC review

The major development is a review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which is examining material submitted on Letby’s behalf. The CCRC has stressed that it does not decide whether someone is guilty or innocent; if it finds a potential miscarriage of justice, it can refer a case back to an appellate court.

The review has attracted renewed attention because Letby’s legal team has submitted extensive expert material challenging aspects of the medical evidence presented at trial. Those arguments remain disputed and have not overturned her convictions.

No further charges are currently being brought

There was also a significant development concerning allegations involving other babies. In January 2026, prosecutors decided not to bring further criminal charges against Letby relating to nine additional children because the evidential test was not met.

In August 2026, the CPS completed an independent review requested by six families and upheld the decision not to bring additional charges.

What happens next?

The case now has several parallel processes, including:

• CCRC review of the existing convictions.
• The Thirlwall Inquiry, examining how concerns about the neonatal unit and Letby’s conduct were handled.
• Separate inquests into some of the babies’ deaths.

The Thirlwall Inquiry is expected to report later in 2026, although the exact publication date has not yet been announced.

Bottom line: Letby’s 15 whole-life sentences remain legally in place. There has been renewed scrutiny of the evidence and an active CCRC review, but there has been no court ruling overturning her convictions and no retrial has been ordered.

Source: BBC