Explore the chilling stories of the UK’s most infamous female serial killers
Chester: The crimes of Lucy Letby shocked everyone. She’s now known as the worst child serial killer in British history. This neonatal nurse murdered seven babies and tried to kill seven more while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Letby, just 35, is serving a life sentence. During her time at the hospital in 2015 and 2016, she used horrifying methods to harm her tiny victims. She injected air into their veins and stomachs, which caused them to collapse. Some babies were even poisoned with insulin.
Experts are still baffled by her actions. Dr. Mohammed Qasim, a criminologist, pointed out that Letby broke all the usual patterns of serial killers. She was a trusted nurse with no signs of being capable of such evil.
Throughout her trial, Letby clutched a grim comforter. Colleagues had nicknamed her ‘Nurse Death’ before her arrest. It’s chilling to think about how she could harm those who were supposed to be safe.
Experts wonder what drove her to commit such heinous acts. Was she unhappy with her life? Did she feel envy towards others? Or did she plan these crimes from a young age? Only Letby knows the truth.
The babies she harmed were in good health before their sudden decline. Prosecutors highlighted that she was always on duty when these tragic events occurred. It was a pattern that couldn’t be ignored.
Police found medical documents and Facebook searches related to her victims at her home. One of the most shocking pieces of evidence was a diary entry where she admitted, “I AM EVIL. I DID THIS.”
Despite her claims of innocence, her defense struggled to explain the deaths. When she left the neonatal unit, the infant deaths stopped. Some supporters argue she’s a victim of a miscarriage of justice, but the evidence against her is overwhelming.
Letby’s case has sparked a public inquiry that will continue until 2025. Meanwhile, she’s been questioned about other possible murders of infants. It’s a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk behind a seemingly ordinary facade.
Then there’s Sharon Carr, known as the ‘Devil’s Daughter.’ She was just 12 when she murdered Katie Rackliff in 1992. Carr is serving life in prison, isolated from others. Her diary entries reveal a disturbing fascination with violence.
Another notorious figure is Beverley Allitt, the ‘Angel of Death.’ She killed four babies and attempted to kill nine more in just 59 days. Allitt was diagnosed with Munchausen syndrome and is currently held in a secure hospital.
Mary Ann Cotton, from the 19th century, is remembered as Britain’s most prolific female serial killer. She poisoned 21 people, including her own children, to claim life insurance. She was hanged in 1873, maintaining her innocence until the end.
Lastly, there’s Joanna Dennehy, who stabbed three men to death in a brutal spree. She was labeled a “cruel, calculating, selfish and manipulative serial killer” and is serving a life sentence.
These stories remind us of the dark side of humanity. It’s hard to comprehend how someone can commit such terrible acts, especially those who are supposed to care for the vulnerable.
