Learn about mother Susan Letby and father John Letby — the parents of serial killer Lucy Letby. Many have wondered what led her down this path that led her to commit these brutal murders. What was her childhood like? What do we know about her parents?
Continue scrolling down this article to read all about Lucy Letby’s parents.
Who are Lucy Letby’s parents?
Lucy’s parents Susan Letby and John Letby missed the sentencing hearing after a 10-month trial in which they frequently discussed their deep relationship with Lucy. Throughout her ten-month trial at Manchester Crown Court, Susan and John were a daily fixture and were present.
Since her arrest, Dr Sohom Das, a consultant forensic psychologist and author of In Two Minds, believes they would have been caught between ‘shock, disbelief, maybe even denial, and before the trial, they would have clung to some sliver of hope that she might get a not guilty plea. Obviously, that all came crashing down.’
The couple supported her in seeking a letter of apology from leading doctors who expressed concern for their beloved daughter and threatened to report them to the General Medical Council after learning of her innocence. Their narrow-minded belief in their child was not entirely unexpected to them as devoted parents. Lucy was only the fourth female murderer in British history to be sentenced to life in prison, but unlike killers such as Myra Hindley and Rose West, there is little evidence that Letby had a troubled childhood.
They were not present at the verdict last Friday, and were also absent this morning when she was handed her life sentence at sentencing. Mr and Mrs Letby have moved out of their home in Hereford and travelled to Manchester to hear all the evidence against their daughter.
Lucy Letby, 33, is the infamous serial killer nurse who has been given an extremely unusual life sentence for the “sadistic” murders of seven children. The parents of Letby’s infant victims have revealed the horrific consequences of her murders while she was still in custody, making her Britain’s most prolific child killer. Manchester Crown Court was told that some of her surviving victims have been left with no ability to change their lives.
Letby’s actions were described by Judge James Justice Goss KC as “a brutal, calculated and inhumane campaign of child murder involving the youngest and most vulnerable children”.
There is no indication that Mr. and Mrs. Letby were anything other than loving parents who showered Lucy with affection from the moment she was born, five months after they married in July 1989. They raised Lucy as an only child in a semi-detached house built in the 1930s on a dead-end street.
Growing up, Letby was a ‘delight’ to her parents – neighbours recall. Lucy Letby’s childhood was as normal as any other child raised by loving parents. She had a part-time job at WH Smith in the city, and her parents were extremely proud when she became the first in their family to go to university.
Lucy told a doctor friend who was considering moving to New Zealand that she could never do so because it would be ‘absolutely devastating’ to them. “I find it so hard to be away from me now and only 100 miles away,” she said.
She wrote these lines to another acquaintance in a text message: “My parents worry a lot about everything, hate that I live alone, etc. I feel bad because I know it’s really hard for them, especially since I’m an only child, and they mean well, just a bit suffocating sometimes and constantly feel guilty.”
Lucy received 14 life sentences, one each for seven counts of murder and attempted murder. She will die in prison.
Meet Susan Letby, Lucy Letby Mum
Susan Letby is the mother of Lucy Letby, a British soap opera actress. When police arrested Lucy at her home in Chester in 2018, Susan is said to have told officers: “I did it, arrest me instead.”
As of 2023, Susan Letby is 63 years old.
Susan Letby worked as an accountant. There are no further details about her career beyond that. Mirror.co.uk reports that she is now retired.
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Does Susan Letby use Facebook?
No, Susan Letby does not appear to be on Facebook.
Meet John Letby, Lucy Letby Dad
Lucy Letby’s father’s name is John Letby.
As of 2023, John Letby is 77 years old.
Multiple reports say John Letby is a furniture retailer.
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Is John Letby on Facebook?
There are no details available on John Letby’s Facebook.
Related FAQs
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Where do Lucy Letby’s parents live?
Lucy Letby’s parents live in Hereford, England.
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How many children do Lucy Letby’s parents have?
Lucy Letby was the only child of Susan and John Letby.
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Are Lucy Letby’s parents still together?
Yes, Lucy Letby’s parents are still together. They have been married since 1989 and recently celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary.