Serial killer nurse Lucy Letby emailed colleagues asking them to be “sensitive and supportive” after she was investigated over the deaths of babies, a public inquiry has found

Convicted murderer Lucy Letby emailed her colleagues asking them to be “sensitive and supportive” towards her while she was under investigation into the babies’ deaths, a public inquiry has heard.

Letby told the Countess of Chester’s colleagues that she had been “fully exonerated” as she appealed for their support ahead of her return to the neonatal unit, from where she was transferred in July 2016.

Calling the allegations “disturbing” for both her and her family, she told staff that the claims had since been found to be “unfounded and untrue” and that she had received a “full apology” from the trust.

In a letter to her colleagues dated January 31, 2017, she wrote: “Dear colleagues, I was dismissed from the unit in July 2016 after serious and distressing allegations of a personal and professional nature were made by some members of the medical team.”

“From then until now, I have been unable to visit or contact the unit while these matters were being investigated.” After a thorough investigation, all allegations were found to be unfounded and untrue and I was therefore fully exonerated. I received a full apology from the foundation.

“As you can imagine, this entire episode has been stressful for me and my family. I will begin my return to the unit in the coming weeks. I need empathetic and supportive colleagues during this time.”

“Thank you, Lucy Letby.”

Kathryn Percival-Calderbank, one of Letby’s nursing colleagues, told the inquest that she and her colleagues were “stunned” by the news, the Mirror reported.

She added that none of the staff ever treated Letby badly, despite then Trust CEO Tony Chambers’ requests to “be nice to Lucy”.

But the murderous nurse complained to hospital bosses that colleagues were calling her derogatory names such as “angel of death” and “murderer on the ward”, the Thirlwall inquest heard.

Mr Chambers urged staff to “draw a line under the Lucy question”, citing external reviews which found no evidence Letby had engaged in criminal behaviour.

He later resigned from the post after advisers continued to raise concerns about Letby and her return was ultimately postponed due to Cheshire Police being called in May 2017.

Letby continued to work as an office clerk for the Countess until her arrest 14 months later.

The former hospital director told the inquest he was “truly sorry” for the trauma the families had endured.

Another nurse, Ashley Hudson, said she had no idea that Letby was accused of intentionally harming babies until she received her email because the investigation was kept “secret” and “secret.”

She added that police, who analyzed shifts and events during her time in the neonatal unit, only discovered Letby had injured babies after her arrest.

Letby, 34, was sentenced to 15 life sentences after being convicted of killing seven newborns and attempting to kill six other babies between 2015 and 2016.

The Thirlwall Inquiry is expected to take place at Liverpool City Hall until early next year and publish its findings by late autumn 2025.