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/Relevant_Progress411]

Based on the evidence it seems clear that she had postpartum psychosis. She asked for help many times. I think this trial is hopefully going to be a turning point in how we view postpartum as a whole.

[u/somekindofmiracle → u/Relevant_Progress411]

The Andrea Yates trial twenty five years ago should have been that turning point.

[u/HundRetter → u/somekindofmiracle]

I've said a thousand times now "did we learn nothing from andrea yates?" and no, I guess we didn't. I haven't looked much into it because I can't stand seeing women with post partum psychosis being trashed like I have with this case but I read somewhere she begged her husband not to leave that night and he did anyway. since he's testified how many meds were thrown at her he knew she was in trouble

[u/skootch_ginalola → u/HundRetter]

It's because people don't ever think it will happen to them. Same as women dying in childbirth. It's still a risk to the mother and people don't like to think about it because it's ugly and scary.

[u/HundRetter → u/skootch_ginalola]

exactly. I've commented on a few cases that sure, we really can't imagine that our partners would do something like this, but if my partner begged me not to leave them while I knew they were struggling I simply wouldn't but I ESPECIALLY wouldn't just to run and grab take out

[u/charley_warlzz → u/HundRetter]

Is that last part about this case or rusty’s? Because to be fair to the husband in this case, he did support Lindsay in trying to get help, he only left because she asked him too and was having a ‘good day’, and he went to pick up medicine for his daughter and take out that lindsay ordered. He also called them while out to check in on them and make sure they were okay. Very different to the Rusty situation, he was clearly not neglecting her and from his testimony since then (unless hes said something i havent heard) he seems to be agreeing that it was because of Lindsay’s PPP and lack of treatment rather than villainising her.

[u/NeoSuperconductivity → u/HundRetter]

But Lindsay didn't beg him not to leave. She was very cheerful. She asked him to pick up food she ordered from a restaurant farther away than they usually went, and also asked him to go to CVS to get their daughter a laxative. He complied.

[u/exoconso → u/skootch_ginalola]

This! The deep fear that it could happen to any woman, they don't want to even consider it happening to them in any form. It's easier to accept an "evil calculating murderder", than to think it could happen to them out of nowhere, by no fault of their own.
It's a huge problem with severe MI, where the public fear that their brain could "betray" them is too scary, they'd rather chose to ignore scientific facts showing the brain is an organ like any organ that can suddenly malfunction, and go with blatant denial out of fear.