The parents of convicted serial killer Lucy Letby have broken their long-held silence to launch a scathing attack on Netflix's upcoming documentary about their daughter, accusing the streaming giant of taking coverage of her horrific crimes to what they describe as "another level".
Parents Speak Out Against Documentary
Susan and John Letby, who have lived in their Hereford home for four decades, have spoken publicly for the first time since their daughter's arrest, revealing they have no intention of watching "The Investigation of Lucy Letby" when it debuts this February. The 90-minute documentary promises to feature previously unseen footage and unheard insider accounts about the case that has dominated British headlines for years.
Complete Invasion of Privacy
In an emotional statement to The Times, the couple expressed particular distress about footage included in the documentary's trailer that shows police arresting their pyjama-clad daughter in their family home in June 2019. The clip captures officers arriving at the property, confronting a bleary-eyed Letby in bed, and leading her away in her dressing gown.
"It is a complete invasion of privacy of which we would have known nothing if Lucy's barrister had not told us," the parents stated, adding that they had no idea such revealing footage would be used in the production.
Previous Coverage Versus Netflix Approach
The Letbys acknowledged that previous television coverage of their daughter's case, including BBC Panorama documentaries and nightly news broadcasts showing her being brought to court in handcuffs, has been "heartbreaking for us". However, they maintain that Netflix's approach represents a significant escalation.
"This Netflix documentary is on another level," they emphasised, revealing they have already stumbled upon distressing pictures from the production showing their daughter being arrested in her bedroom and saying goodbye to one of her beloved cats.
Living With Constant Distress
The couple expressed deep concern about how the documentary's release will affect their daily lives in their small cul-de-sac community where "everyone knows everyone". They fear their family home could become a "tourist attraction" similar to their daughter's former residence in Chester, which she purchased in 2016 before her conviction.
Psychological Impact on Parents
Susan and John Letby made clear the profound emotional toll the documentary has already taken, stating unequivocally: "We will not watch it — it would likely kill us if we did." They described their current existence as challenging enough without the additional distress caused by Netflix's production.
The parents added: "What we go through every day is nothing to what Lucy goes through but we still have to live here. Will our house become a tourist attraction like Lucy's in Chester? We will find out the following day when everything is plastered over the papers and the news will be full of it."
Documentary Details and Wider Context
The documentary focuses on Letby, the 36-year-old former neonatal nurse convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Netflix has described the case as "divisive" and promises the film will introduce the story to millions of subscribers worldwide who may be unfamiliar with the details.
The parents' intervention comes as Netflix prepares to release what they describe as "unseen footage and unheard insider accounts" about one of Britain's most notorious serial killer cases, raising significant questions about media ethics, privacy rights, and the impact on families of convicted criminals.
