A doctor who was reported to have had a crush on nurse Lucy Letby has been identified following the lifting of reporting restrictions after his recent death. Dr. Mark Deakin, 53, had been granted lifelong anonymity during Letby’s trial.

Letby, 36, was convicted for the murder of seven infants and the attempted murder of seven more while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The prosecution suggested that some of the attacks were carried out to attract Dr. Deakin’s attention. The two had exchanged messages while working together at the hospital.

Dr. Deakin, a consultant paediatrician, later joined the Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. The trust conducted an internal investigation into what he may have known about Letby’s actions. Reports indicate that he was dismissed for gross misconduct on June 23, 2026.

He passed away on July 3, 2026, and an inquest into his death has been scheduled. Letby’s case has drawn widespread attention due to the nature of the crimes and the subsequent investigations into hospital oversight.