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July 2026: Government declines to widen the Thirlwall terms of reference (16 July) · new 100-page insulin report to the CCRC challenging the trial evidence (9 July) · Thirlwall report still expected no earlier than September · inquests relisted to 2027 · Shoo Lee Panel: no medical evidence of deliberate harm.

Lucy Letby Facts
Convicted
Murder — convicted (2023)

Child C

The prosecution’s theory: Air pushed into stomach via NG tube.

Outcome: Died 14 June 2015

Gestation: 30+1 weeks, 800 g, severe intrauterine growth restriction

Sensitivity note: court-imposed lifelong anonymity covers every family. We use the court-assigned code only. See our families and witnesses sensitivity policy.

Verdict: Guilty, unanimousCourt finding1Court/official

Prosecution theory

Air pushed into stomach via NG tube.

Method alleged: Forced air insufflation into the stomach via nasogastric tube causing diaphragmatic splinting.

Prosecution experts: Dr Dewi Evans; Dr Sandie Bohin.

Panel view (Feb 2025)

Panel: died following a decision to discontinue respiratory support after inadequate resuscitation; prior signs of intermittent bowel obstruction had gone unrecognised.

Pathology

Panel conclusion: Baby 3 died because of a decision to discontinue respiratory support and resuscitative effort in the face of a poor response, following inadequate resuscitation for at least 20 minutes after an acute episode of apnoea. The Panel further found that clear prior signs of intermittent bowel obstruction — which warranted an urgent surgical opinion and investigation — had gone unrecognised. His intrauterine growth had been extremely poor (800 g at 30+1 weeks, against an average of about 1.4 kg).

Natural-cause alternatives identified

  • Ineffective ventilation for at least 20 minutes during the resuscitation — the Panel's stated cause
  • Unrecognised intermittent bowel obstruction requiring urgent surgical review
  • Extreme intrauterine growth restriction (800 g at 30+1 weeks)

What the jury did not hear

  • The Panel's conclusion that the death followed inadequate resuscitation and a decision to withdraw support.
  • That clear prior signs of intermittent bowel obstruction went unrecognised and were never surgically reviewed.

Key primary sources

  • International Expert Panel — Additional 10 Cases report (June 2025), Panel Baby 3: https://lucyletbyinnocence.com/shoo-lee/International%20Expert%20Panel%20New%20Summary%20Report%20of%20additional%2010%20cases.pdf
  • R v Letby sentencing remarks (August 2023)

Read the full long-form analysis →

Last updated

Sources:

This page uses only the court-assigned code and publicly reported facts. The court imposed lifelong anonymity on every family; this site does not contact families and does not speculate about private circumstances.