A consultant doctor, identified as 'Dr. A' in court proceedings and described as Lucy Letby's 'boyfriend,' has died after being dismissed from his NHS hospital role for exchanging messages with the convicted serial killer about a baby she attempted to murder. The 53-year-old doctor was found collapsed in his car the day after his dismissal and died nine days later in intensive care.
An inquest into the doctor's death is scheduled to open. He was subjected to a disciplinary hearing in June over a series of inappropriate text messages sent to Letby while they worked together at the Countess of Chester Hospital. These messages reportedly breached patient confidentiality and included details about the care of a premature baby boy, known as Baby N, whom Letby was convicted of attempting to kill.
Sources indicate the doctor faced additional serious allegations, including improper access to medical records and compromising patient safety, which are currently undisclosed for legal reasons. During Letby's trial, she denied a romantic relationship with the doctor, referring to him as a 'best friend.' However, she reportedly became distressed when he testified in court. Police searches of Letby's home uncovered notes with his name and heart symbols, and she referred to him as 'sweetie' and 'love' in text messages.
Letby is currently serving 15 whole-life sentences after being found guilty of murdering seven infants and attempting to kill seven others between June 2015 and June 2016 at the Countess of Chester Hospital. She has maintained her innocence and is pursuing appeals.
The doctor was dismissed for gross misconduct on June 23 after a three-day disciplinary hearing in early June. He was reported missing by relatives the following day and subsequently found in his car at a retail park approximately 20 miles from his home. He was admitted to Whiston Hospital in Merseyside, where he died on July 3 without regaining consciousness. The cause of death is under investigation by the Cheshire Coroner.
His dismissal would have necessitated a report to the General Medical Council, potentially impacting his professional registration. During the Thirlwall Inquiry into Letby's crimes in October 2024, the doctor stated that Letby had