Shivangi Sinha
Once Lucy Letby became a suspect, public attention quickly extended to her personal and family life. Throughout the investigation and trial, her parents, Susan and John Letby, remained firmly by her side. They attended court regularly and reportedly continued to stand by her even after the guilty verdicts were delivered. Their distress and disbelief became part of the wider narrative surrounding the case. Netflix’s ‘The Investigation of Lucy Letby’ includes police footage showing her parents during her arrest. It captured their pleas and the shock they experienced as events escalated.
Susan and John Letby Stood by Their Daughter Through the Trial
John and Susan Letby were settled in Hereford, England, where they built a modest, middle-class life. John worked in the furniture business, while Susan was employed as an accounts clerk. After what has been described in reports as a difficult birth, they welcomed their only daughter in January 1990. The couple was known locally as quiet, reputable people who kept to themselves and stayed clear of controversy. They invested deeply in their daughter’s upbringing and education and were immensely proud of her accomplishments. When she completed her nursing degree in 2011, they even placed a small congratulatory notice in the local newspaper, proudly celebrating her achievement.
The family took three vacations a year to Torquay, which was like a ritual for them. When Lucy moved from Hereford to Chester, the distance was difficult for her parents, but they remained fully supportive. Reports suggest they even helped her purchase her flat in Chester so she could settle into her new life. In July 2018, when Lucy was arrested at her home, both Susan and John were present. Police bodycam footage later showed Susan crying out in distress, pleading with officers to “take me instead,” reported as an expression of her desperation as her daughter was taken into custody. The couple later spoke of how John carefully made Lucy’s bed afterward, still struggling to grasp what had happened.
The pair has claimed that they were the first to approach the police when concerns about the hospital’s accusations emerged. When Lucy’s trial began in 2022, Susan and John relocated to Manchester and rented a small apartment so they could attend court every day. They were a constant presence throughout the proceedings. When the guilty verdicts were delivered, Lucy’s mother reacted with visible shock, collapsing into her husband’s arms and crying out: “You can’t be serious. This cannot be right.” Following the conclusion of the trial, it has been reported that the couple became increasingly withdrawn and kept largely to themselves. They did not attend Lucy’s sentencing and have since avoided public statements or media attention altogether.
Susan and John Letby are Apprehensive of Public Attention Today
After Lucy Letby’s conviction, Susan and John Letby largely retreated from public view. There were reports suggesting they planned to sell their home on a quiet cul-de-sac and relocate closer to the prison where their daughter is held, but those plans do not appear to have materialized. As of reports from 2024, they were running a radiator business together. The couple has publicly criticized Netflix’s documentary, describing it as an intrusion into their private lives.
Reports suggest it is particularly because police footage filmed inside their home was included, something they reportedly don’t approve of. Furthermore, they have expressed fears that this exposure could turn their house into a site of public curiosity. They also alleged they were not informed beforehand that the footage would be released. Living in a small Hereford community, they believe such attention has made daily life difficult. Throughout it all, they have consistently maintained support for their daughter.
Read More: Lucy Letby: Where is the Killer Nurse Now?
