LUCY LETBY’S “MYSTERY DOCTOR” FINALLY NAMED — THE MAN WHO STOOD AT THE CENTER OF ONE OF THE MOST SHOCKING PARTS OF HER CASE

For years, the name of the doctor described during Lucy Letby’s trial as her “boyfriend” or “crush” was hidden from the public.

He was simply known as “Dr A.”

Now, that anonymity has finally been lifted.

The doctor was Dr Mark Deakin, a consultant paediatrician and married father of two who 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 others.

Deakin died in July at the age of 53.

Following his death, a judge lifted the lifelong reporting restriction that had protected his identity, allowing the public to finally learn who “Dr A” was.

THE RELATIONSHIP THAT BECAME A MAJOR FOCUS

During Letby’s trial, prosecutors argued that she had become intensely attached to Deakin.

The two had worked together at the neonatal unit and exchanged more than 1,300 Facebook messages.

Some of their conversations were described in court as unusually close, while Letby’s handwritten notes found after her arrest contained references to Deakin and expressions of affection.

Prosecutors suggested that Letby’s desire for Deakin’s attention formed part of the motive behind some of the attacks on babies.

Letby rejected that characterization.

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

THEN CAME THE BABY N CASE

The relationship became even more significant because of confidential medical information.

Deakin and Letby exchanged messages concerning a premature baby known during the proceedings as Baby N, one of the children involved in Letby’s convictions.

The Thirlwall Inquiry later heard that Deakin had exchanged 1,355 Facebook messages with Letby during 2016.

He also helped arrange observational visits for Letby at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after she had been removed from clinical duties at the Countess of Chester while concerns about her were being examined.

Years later, Deakin acknowledged that he had been misled and possibly manipulated by Letby.

He described his decision to support her and facilitate her visits as a “massive mistake.”

HIS CAREER ENDED AT ALDER HEY

The story did not end with the Letby trial.

Deakin later worked as a consultant at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

But an internal investigation eventually examined his conduct surrounding Letby and confidential patient information.

Reports said he was dismissed for gross misconduct in June 2026, including inappropriate access to medical records and issues connected with his dealings with Letby.

Then came the news that shocked those following the case.

Deakin was found collapsed in his car at a Cheshire retail park shortly after his dismissal. He was taken to hospital and later died.

He was 53.

QUESTIONS REMAIN

His death was subsequently referred to the Cheshire coroner, and an inquest is expected to open later in September.

Crucially, the circumstances and cause of his death have not been publicly established, and there is no basis to speculate beyond what investigators determine.

His identity was only revealed after his death because the court had previously considered anonymity necessary to protect him as a witness.

On September 2, 2026, Lord Justice Singh discharged that order following an application by Associated Newspapers.

For years, the public knew him only as “Dr A.”

Now his name is finally known.

But his story raises a disturbing question of its own:

How much did those closest to Lucy Letby understand about what was happening around them — and how long did it take before the warning signs became impossible to ignore?