Omg I just had to post! It popped up on my Facebook (cheers algorithm!). The post was entitled “Tigger and Smudge” it’s hilarious
“Tigger and Smudge
The Role of Tigger and Smudge in the Letby Trial
During her time working as a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital, Lucy Letby lived alone in her semi-detached home alongside her two rescue cats, Tigger and Smudge.
The pair of cats featured prominently throughout her trial:
Notes and Diaries: The names Tigger and Smudge appeared frequently across personal post-it notes, framed pictures, and diary entries recovered by police forensic teams searching her home.
Courtroom Reaction: During her trial testimony, mention of her pets visibly broke Letby's composure. She was reduced to tears when questioned about Tigger and Smudge, as well as when shown police photographs of her unkempt bedroom—which displayed a Winnie-the-Pooh teddy bear on an unmade bed alongside clothes strewn across the floor.
The Moment of Arrest: Reports from the morning of her initial arrest in July 2018 noted that one of the final tearful requests Letby made to police officers before being taken into custody was asking if she could hug her cat goodbye.
What Happened to Tigger and Smudge?
Due to conflicting news reports following her arrests and ultimate conviction, details about the cats were occasionally confused. However, reporting from major British news outlets and trial coverage clarified their status:
Prison Letters: Lucy did write handwritten letters from prison to a close friend mentioning that she missed her two cats, though reports on those letters do not state she wrote that her parents were looking after them.
1. Initial Care After Arrest (2018)
When Letby was first arrested in July 2018, her two rescue cats were taken in by a local animal rescue organization / sanctuary for temporary boarding while police conducted extensive searches on her property on Westbourne Road, Chester.
2. Put Up for Rehoming
Following her repeated arrests and the ongoing, lengthier police investigation (which ultimately prevented her from returning home), the rescue shelter officially put Tigger and Smudge up for rehoming.
3. Rehomed to a New Family
According to reports published during her trial, both cats were successfully rehomed together to a new owner in a different area. The adoption was handled discreetly by the rescue center to protect the privacy of the new owners and ensure the animals were cared for out of the public eye.
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There’s even a picture of her holding the cats where they appear to be wearing Christmas jumpers. Thank God they were cared for out of the public eye, cats can’t deal with being doorstepped by reporters. Priceless!
www.bbc.co.uk
