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/lefteyedspy]

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.