LUCY LETBY’S “MYSTERY DOCTOR” FINALLY NAMED — THEN HIS OWN STORY TOOK A DARK TURN

For years, the doctor at the center of one of the most talked-about parts of the Lucy Letby trial could only be identified as “Dr A.”

Now, his name can finally be revealed.

Dr Mark Deakin, a married father of two, was the consultant paediatrician prosecutors described as a key figure in Letby’s life — and the man they said she had become infatuated with.

His identity was protected by a court order when he gave evidence during Letby’s trial.

That restriction has now been lifted following his death at the age of 53.

THE DOCTOR AT THE CENTER OF LETBY’S ATTENTION

Deakin worked alongside Letby at the Countess of Chester Hospital during the period when she was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more.

During the trial, prosecutors suggested Letby was deeply interested in Deakin and argued that she may have harmed babies in order to gain his attention.

Letby rejected that suggestion.

She maintained that Deakin was a trusted friend rather than a romantic partner.

But their relationship became an important part of the evidence.

The pair exchanged more than 1,300 Facebook messages, including messages about patients and their lives outside the hospital.

THE BABY AT THE CENTER OF THE MESSAGES

Among the most troubling communications involved Baby N, a premature boy with haemophilia whom Letby was convicted of attempting to murder.

Evidence heard by the public inquiry later showed that Letby asked Deakin about the baby’s condition and questioned whether she had done anything wrong.

Deakin subsequently acknowledged that, in hindsight, he had shared too much information with her.

In 2024, he told the Thirlwall Inquiry that Letby had “misled and maybe manipulated” him into giving her information about babies in her care.

HE CONTINUED TO SUPPORT HER

Even after Letby was removed from frontline neonatal duties amid concerns surrounding the deaths of babies, Deakin continued to support her.

He assisted with her grievance and later arranged observational visits for her at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after he had moved there.

Those decisions would eventually come under intense scrutiny.

An investigation by Alder Hey examined Deakin’s conduct, including his relationship with Letby, his handling of confidential information and the arrangements he made for her visits.

He was later dismissed for gross misconduct in June 2026.

THEN CAME HIS DEATH

On June 23, Deakin was dismissed from Alder Hey.

The following day, he was found collapsed in his car at a retail park in Cheshire.

He was taken to hospital but died on July 3, aged 53.

His death has now been referred to the coroner, with an inquest opening scheduled for September 23, 2026, at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in Warrington.

Importantly, the circumstances of his death have not been publicly established, and there is currently no confirmed finding linking his death to Letby or to his dismissal.

A NAME THAT WAS HIDDEN FOR YEARS

Deakin had been granted anonymity during the Letby proceedings because of concerns about the potential impact of publicity.

After his death, however, the Court of Appeal lifted the reporting restrictions.

His identity can now be reported publicly.

Meanwhile, Letby remains in prison serving 15 whole-life terms after her convictions for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more.

But the questions surrounding the relationship between Letby and Deakin have not disappeared.

How close were they really?

Why did Deakin continue supporting Letby after concerns had already been raised about her?

And what more could investigators uncover about the information that passed between them?

For years, “Dr A” was only a name hidden behind a courtroom screen. Now the man behind that name has finally been revealed — but many questions remain.