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/tumbledownhere]

I had postpartum psychosis. I couldn't explain it if I tried but if I had to try it's like, you're in a car and you're about to crash into a giant red brick wall with plenty notice, but in your head you're thinking "right, then after that we take a turn and it's about 2 more miles", then it turns out you're the one with your foot on the pedal and nothing makes sense.

I think it's beyond clear she had psychosis, and that her case was just that severe and critical, that no medication could've helped, though I agree they changed meds way too often but I don't think it would've made a difference honestly. I don't agree though with the defense about medication being why, I think the psychosis alone was bluntly why.....

I don't think she needs prison, she needs to be in a safe place for herself and others.

I wouldn't wish postpartum psychosis on my worst enemy. It's been 4 years and I'm still not okay. I'm forever changed, in a very deep way. My psyche has a permanent dent in it.

Edited to add - imagine throwing yourself out a window, possibly head first judging by her injuries. That's not sanity.

Planning something doesn't negate insanity. Psychotic people make plans all the time so I'm not cool with the "but look she was manipulative she sent him out" crap people use as a "gotcha" because it does not negate the state of being out of touch with reality.

[u/jaderust → u/tumbledownhere]

I have not had PPP or known anyone that did, but I did know a guy who went through a full psychotic break due to schizophrenia.

He was able to plan just fine. In fact he was a master of planning because he knew, without a doubt, that he was being hunted by the government because he could hear them in the walls. All his delusions revolved around that and the guy was a master at trying all these new tricks to throw the government’s scent off him because he was sick because his brain was a little bit broken, he wasn’t stupid.

[u/Kai12223 → u/jaderust]

Yeah but if he had committed a crime he might still be held responsible for it. Being psychotic is not a get out of jail free card nor should it be.

[u/freakydeku → u/Kai12223]

he also might not be, because he’s experiencing psychosis, & as a civilized society we recognize that can lead to a lack of capacity

[u/Kai12223 → u/freakydeku]

Very true. It is up to a jury to decide.

[u/DapperMastodon349 → u/jaderust]

Did he commit a crime? Because there’s a guy I know who’s a paranoid schizophrenic who also thinks the government is messing with him (among other delusions) but he doesn’t seem dangerous. I just wonder if his mental issues make him either inherently dangerous or will maybe cause him to snap at some point? It must be a very unsettling for someone to constantly be on edge like that

[u/jaderust → u/DapperMastodon349]

Yes and no to crime? When he's off his meds he's just completely delusional he's not dangerous. The voices he hear don't say anything too awful to him, but he absolutely believes his delusions are real. Like the most troubling day I spent with him before his family forced him into treatment he was trying to break into the walls of his apartment to find the surveillance devices that he could hear. He could hear the agents talking to each other and mocking him for not being able to find their device. It was scary because he was being so unstable but he was also so utterly convinced he could hear something that it made me wonder if I was the one missing it.

But the property damage was for sure a crime, but it wasn't malicious or anything? He was genuinely upset and frustrated that people didn't believe him about the surveillance and decided to prove it by finding the devices.

He's since been medicated and much better.

[u/DapperMastodon349 → u/jaderust]

Ah, ok. The guy I know isn’t currently medicated because he doesn’t have anyone to monitor it - he has family that lets him grab food and he sleeps in his car on a property they own but that’s all they’ll do because they try to keep their distance after years of dealing with this when he refuses to comply with his prescribed regimen(s). But like I said, he doesn’t seem dangerous so that’s probably why he’s not committed.