Lucy Letby: What makes a female serial killer?

Lucy Letby: What makes a female serial killer?

Author: The Times September 4, 2023 Duration: 27:02

Since the nurse Lucy Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies, one question has remained – and may always be – unanswered: why?

In this episode we speak to an expert on female serial killers who outlines why we shouldn't be shocked by Letby and her crimes, and how Letby fits the profile of a female serial killer. But also – even more chillingly – how she doesn't.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. 

Book: Just As Deadly: The Psychology of Female Serial Killers https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/just-as-deadly/085C912B92AAD29C2B76251C56D91356

Guest: Marissa A. Harrison, Professor of Psychology, Penn State Harrisburg.

Host: Luke Jones.

Helplines: NSPCC provides help, advice and support to adults worried about a child.

Phone: 0808 800 5000 (24/7)

https://www.nspcc.org.uk

Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provides a safe place to talk 24 hours a day: https://www.samaritans.org

Phone: 116 123

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Child Bereavement UK: https://www.childbereavementuk.org

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 108

The Story
Podcast Episodes
When Andrew met Mandelson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:34
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein has been poured over by the press – but what about their relationship with one another? New Times reporting reveals they met for the firs…
The end of the ceasefire in Iran...or not? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:51
This episode was recorded before the latest announcement from President Trump pausing 'Project Freedom'.Earlier this week President Trump launched his latest move in the Iran war... 'Project Freedom' was designed to get…
Could Reform surge in Scotland? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:51
This week Scottish voters will head to the polls for the Holyrood parliamentary elections. To understand what's on people's minds, we visited Motherwell - a town where, for decades, Labour used to dominate. This year Lab…
NHS spending is higher than ever. Why isn’t it working? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:18
NHS spending has reached record highs and shows no sign of slowing down. The government poured in £205 billion last year, yet waiting lists remain stubbornly high and patient satisfaction is at an all time low. So where…
England’s first five-party election? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:30
Could Thursday’s local elections herald the end of two party politics in England? Labour are expected to lose heavily to parties on the left and right. So how bad would it need to be for the party to replace the prime mi…
LATEST: An antisemitic terror attack in London [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:41
Police have declared a terrorist incident after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green. The suspect, Essa Suleiman, is in custody and the two men are stable. Plenty of questions remain as the Jewish community reels…
Q&A: more pain for Starmer but 'No more Mr. Nice Guy' for Iran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:09
Sir Keir Starmer has dodged a bullet on the Mandelson vetting scandal but did he expend too much political capital in the process? With local elections around the corner he’s not out of the woods yet, so what can we expe…
‘The punishment election’: Is Labour facing a bloodbath in Wales? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:09
South Wales has been a Labour heartland since the party formed over a century ago, but speak to people there today and you'll find support leaving in droves. So can Labour avoid an electoral car crash? Could the other ma…