Patrick Clancy has spoken publicly about the deaths of his three children, his decision to forgive their mother and the online conspiracy theories that followed Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial in Massachusetts.
Lindsay Clancy, a former labour and delivery nurse, stood trial over the deaths of Cora, Dawson and Callan. Her lawyers argued that she had been suffering from postpartum psychosis and could not be held responsible for her actions, but the trial ended with a hung jury.
Patrick and Lindsay Clancy had been married for six years and were living in Duxbury when, after the birth of their third child, Lindsay began experiencing severe mental health problems.
Patrick said she went several nights without sleeping in October 2022. “I think mental illness has this ability to be tragically deceptive,” he said, adding that he was sure there were signs he had not seen.
Her condition worsened over the following months, with depression, intrusive thoughts and profound sleep deprivation. Lindsay made repeated visits to emergency departments, admitted herself to a programme for patients with postpartum depression and was prescribed an increasing number of medicines.
On New Year’s Eve, she checked herself into McLean Psychiatric Hospital for treatment. She was discharged days later and returned home in time for the family to celebrate Cora’s birthday on January 7.
Seventeen days later, Patrick said he returned from an errand to find Lindsay in the back garden, seriously injured after jumping from an upstairs window and cutting her throat and wrists. In the basement, he found the children.
Cora and Dawson had died. Callan was taken to Boston Children’s Hospital after doctors restored his heartbeat, but died four days later.
“I’m so grateful for those four days that I had with him,” Patrick said. “And I’m so grateful he hung on.” He told how he held Callan, spoke to him and lay beside him before the baby died in his arms.
During those hours, Patrick wrote tributes to all three children, using one hand to type while holding Callan’s hand with the other. He said he feared they would be forgotten if he did not record his memories of them.
Patrick also wrote about Lindsay and said he rejected descriptions of her as a “killer mom” or a “monster”. He said he believed her mental illness had caused what happened.
“When it comes to forgiveness, I also felt that if I didn’t get there, I would be eaten up inside forever,” he said. Lindsay had not asked for his forgiveness, he added, but: “I gave it to her.”
Patrick Clancy says online theories have harmed his children’s legacy
After the trial, online commentators and influencers dissected the case and circulated unproven theories portraying Patrick as uncaring, unfaithful or involved in the deaths.
He said the claims were “deeply harmful to the legacy of my children” and distracted from the issue of perinatal mental health. He also said they had made it difficult for him to be in public.
Patrick said his composure while giving evidence had been misunderstood. During the trial, he suffered a panic attack before a recording of the emergency call was played, but declined medication and returned to complete his testimony.
In the aftermath of the deaths, he said his life “came to a screeching halt”. He moved from Duxbury to New York City, where he hoped to grieve anonymously, and kept toys and personal belongings belonging to the children in his apartment.
A playground in Duxbury was later built with features reflecting each child: sloths associated with Cora, a firefighter for Dawson and a toddler’s playpen for Callan.
Patrick said he had experienced suicidal thoughts after the tragedy, including a period when he did not expect to reach his 35th birthday. He said he eventually found support by speaking to psychiatrists and specialists in postpartum health.
He also met Rachel Danis, a fertility doctor, through a running club in New York. They married in April and are expecting a child.
Danis said she could not bring Patrick’s children back but wanted to help him honour their memory. Patrick said he looked forward to telling their child about Cora, Dawson and Callan.
Patrick and Lindsay have each brought lawsuits against healthcare providers who treated her, alleging medical malpractice. Lindsay remains at Tewksbury Hospital in Massachusetts while it is decided whether she will face a retrial.
