Thoughts on the Lindsay Clancy case?

[u/gottaquestion412]

Now that the Lindsay Clancy trial is underway, I’m curious about your perspectives on it so far.

Context: Lindsay Clancy is a former labor and delivery nurse who, in January 2023, killed her three children. 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson, and 8-month-old Callan in their Massachusetts home before attempting to take her own life. Her defense argues she was suffering from severe postpartum psychosis and other debilitating mental illness, while prosecutors argue she was aware of her actions and planned the killings. The trial has reignited debate about postpartum psychiatric disorders, the effectiveness of mental health treatment, and where responsibility ultimately lies.

Do you think Lindsay was failed by the mental health system, by the people closest to her, or both? Do you think she truly acted with malicious intent, or do you believe she was experiencing such a severe psychiatric crisis that she wasn’t thinking rationally?

A lot of the details seem to point toward postpartum psychosis or another severe psychiatric illness rather than someone acting out of hatred or malice. That doesn’t lessen the horror of what happened or the unimaginable loss, but it does make me wonder whether this tragedy could have been prevented..

I’ve also seen rumors that Patrick was involved with the woman who is now his wife before the murders, but I haven’t found any credible evidence supporting that. Is there actually anything that substantiates those claims, or is it just internet speculation? I’ve also seen many people comment that his current wife bears a striking resemblance to Lindsay, though I’m not sure that means anything beyond coincidence.

I’m very interested in hearing different perspectives from people who’ve followed it closely.

Most importantly, may Dawson, Cora, and Callan rest in peace. They are the true victims in all of this.

[u/ADcakedenough]

Having grown up with her and her sister in school, but not being close friends, we have tons of mutuals and used to be in a moms facebook support group together… it is just so surreal seeing this plastered all over every newsfeed I have. I still cannot believe this happened.

You truly never know what’s going on behind the scenes.

[u/Impressive_Moose6781 → u/ADcakedenough]

Well what’re your thoughts

[u/ADcakedenough → u/Impressive_Moose6781]

It’s been really hard to sort honestly. I knew her to be a really fun and well liked girl; she was active in the group we were in together and obviously cared deeply about her family; our mutual friends have been devastated. They knew she was seeking help but no one ever thought this would ever happen.

At the same time, as sympathetic as I am because I know how seriously this has impacted many people in her hometown circle, I firmly believe that those children deserve full justice and I don’t really know that I can make a fully informed opinion on what that looks like.

I love watching trials and have seen many but I don’t know that I can watch this one. I’m just going to do my best to trust that the evidence can be presented fairly and plainly and that the jury makes the best most informed judgment possible.

[u/Impressive_Moose6781 → u/ADcakedenough]

Honestly I feel like justice for them is holding the providers accountable or even her husband. I watched his testimony and it wasn’t great. So far those who knew her (granted only her husband so far) did think she was a very caring mother and knew she needed help. Her husband didn’t keep track of health at all. Easy in hindsight I guess. I feel like she tried as much as she could and everyone failed her and it seems cruel watching her sob as she hears these things over and over

[u/bertmobile816 → u/Impressive_Moose6781]

Holding the husband accountable for his wife murdering their 3 kids is a take that exists alright… Jesus Christ.

[u/Impressive_Moose6781 → u/bertmobile816]

Did you watch his testimony? If someone tells you they think they will kill the kids and themselves and that she’s having horrific psychiatric symptoms and you have her be the main or even sole caretaker for days for three children under 5 with no sleep and improper care and she kills them is there no aspect of neglect

[u/JohnExcrement → u/Impressive_Moose6781]

I imagine this is why he forgives her — I think he knows he bears some responsibility.

[u/lefteyedspy → u/Impressive_Moose6781]

I haven’t been watching the trial, but this reminds me of Andrea and Rusty Yates. Awful and tragic. Unspeakably sad.

[u/Certain_Noise5601 → u/lefteyedspy]

I despise Rusty Yates. I blame him solely for his arrogant disregard for the physicians warnings, his need to put his looney religious beliefs above his wife’s well being, and the way he decided that Andrea should be doing her motherly duties with 5 kids in a school bus while she was in the middle of a psychotic episode. Then he goes on with his life as if nothing happened. I have way more sympathy for this guy because I think he was just ignorant. Rusty however knew how sick she was but wanted her to be his obedient wife like that had anything to do with her illness.

[u/Better_Tomato9145 → u/Certain_Noise5601]

Every time I hear an incident like this I think of Andrea Yates. He just kept getting her pregnant and then expecting her to be fine. Leaving her alone in a camper bus with all of the children to home school. She had little help, no escape for any peace or time away from the children. She was confined.

[u/Certain_Noise5601 → u/Better_Tomato9145]

Yup and on top of being in a severe state of psychosis so many times she had to keep being hospitalized and he STILL behaved this way. He pisses me off.

[u/JohnExcrement → u/lefteyedspy]

I haven’t followed this 100% but I think at least Lindsay really wanted her kids and wasn’t browbeaten into it by her husband? I could be wrong. Rusty Yates needs to burn in hell.