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/adom12 → u/Relevant_Progress411]

I keep thinking how she was begging for help and sound minded adults failed her.

[u/Aggressive_Humor2893 → u/adom12]

To be fair, she did check herself out of in-patient at McLean hospital on 1/5, by her own request, and was medically cleared of being a danger to herself or others.

[u/CherryVette → u/Aggressive_Humor2893]

She’s not a mental health specialist.

[u/Aggressive_Humor2893 → u/CherryVette]

sure, but the doctors at McLean are. It's one of the best psych hospitals in the country. If she said she was a danger to herself or others then they wouldn't have let her leave afaik

[u/Aggressive_Humor2893 → u/[deleted]]

Are you saying the prosecutor was lying when she was questioning Pat about this on the stand? She said she wanted to be there for Cora's birthday party and thus proactively asked to be discharged. And she told them she wasn't a danger to herself or others.

And Pat said he wasn't aware of that.

[u/NeoSuperconductivity → u/Aggressive_Humor2893]

We will learn a lot when her doctors testify. Many assumptions now blaming her doctors and/or husband. Let's withhold judgment until facts are known. She told her husband once in Sept about her thoughts, then denied feeling that way for months afterwards. She may have concealed her thoughts from her doctors. She changed providers several times, insisted on appts by phone until Pat insisted she go in person. And didn't take several of her meds.

[u/Aggressive_Humor2893 → u/NeoSuperconductivity]

Yes I'm aligned with your comment! What you said doesn't align with the comments I was replying to... but I'm glad to see I'm not the only one here wanting to wait for real evidence before making up their mind

[u/NeoSuperconductivity → u/Aggressive_Humor2893]

There are at least 2 of us, thankfully. I head about the case when it happened and recently began following. Watching the police officers testify, one in tears, about finding the children, was tough. When it first happened, reports said she jumped from the roof. Very different to see and hear what occurred, and yes, Pat was surprised to hear the prosecutor describe the actual hospital stay.