The identity of Dr. Mark Deakin, a consultant pediatrician, has been disclosed following his passing in July. During the high-profile trial of neonatal nurse Lucy Letby, who was convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder six others, Dr. Deakin was frequently referenced in court reports as the 'doctor who had a crush' on the defendant.

Throughout the trial, Dr. Deakin was granted lifelong anonymity to protect his privacy while he provided evidence. The disclosure of his identity comes after his death, removing the legal protections that previously shielded his name from public reporting. The references to his relationship with Letby were a point of significant media interest during the trial, as prosecutors and defense teams debated the nature of their professional and personal interactions. While the court records focused on the clinical evidence of the crimes, the personal associations of the defendant were scrutinized to establish the environment within the Countess of Chester Hospital. With his identity now public, the narrative surrounding the trial’s peripheral figures continues to be clarified.