Lucy Letby’s Motive: Why Did the Convicted Serial Killer Possibly Do It?

Disclaimer: The article contains mentions of murder and death. Reader discretion is advised.

In November 2020, authorities arrested neonatal nurse Lucy Letby for allegedly killing seven infants between 2015 and 2016. Reports indicated that the police started investigating the deaths of children in 2017. The following year, they apprehended Letby for the first time. Initially released on bail, law enforcement agencies took her into custody in 2019 after police discovered strong evidence against her. More than a year later, authorities arrested for the third and final time before charging her for the murders of seven babies. Although Letby pleaded not guilty, the jury found her guilty after prosecutors were able to prove the motive of the murders.

During the trial, the prosecutors revealed that Lucy Letby liked “playing God” at the hospital and harming babies before telling her colleagues about their declining health. The prosecution team also claimed that Letby had a relationship with a married doctor. Citing the prosecutors, The Guardian mentioned that the nurse harmed infants to get the married doctor’s “personal attention.” Even though Letby denied having a relationship with the married doctor, prosecutors showed text messages that revealed the true nature of their relationship.

The trial of Lucy Letby began in October 2022 and continued for 11 months. According to People Magazine, the jury found her guilty of killing seven children and attempting to murder six others. The court sentenced her to 14 whole-life terms for slaying seven infants. In June 2024, she received her 15th whole life term for murdering another child.

What were Lucy Letby’s possible motives for committing murders?

At the trial, the prosecution presented much evidence against Lucy Letby. According to The Guardian, the prosecution found Post-It notes from Letby’s handbag in which she allegedly confessed her crimes. In one hand-written note, Letby wrote she intentionally murdered the infants and called herself “evil.” Citing the note, The Guardian reported that she wrote, “I killed them on purpose because I’m not good enough to care for them,” and “I AM EVIL I DID THIS.”

While talking about the notes, Lucy Letby revealed that she had written these notes after getting suspended from her job. Although the jury found her guilty of the slaying, the court could never determine the real motive behind the murders. Letby is currently serving her sentence at HMP Low Newton in Durham, England.