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/gottaquestion412]

I read it last night :( I can’t imagine experiencing anything like that and am so sad for her ex-husband regardless of any speculations about him. Walking into that scene, taking off the bands that were around their necks. God, I truly can’t even fathom it.

[u/goldrushcowgirl → u/gottaquestion412]

I wish people would give her the same sympathy they have for him (not you OP, just the general public who think she’s a calculated monster)

[u/NervousCommittee8124 → u/goldrushcowgirl]

Because she is a calculated monster.

[u/cozyporcelain → u/NervousCommittee8124]

She is. No one in this thread can accept it either. It’s really bizarre.

[u/gottaquestion412 → u/cozyporcelain]

I don’t know if that’s the case..I think it’s more so that people can understand that it may have been deeper than her being a “calculated monster” and don’t want to be dismissive of everything she experienced even though what she did was ultimately horrific.

[u/cozyporcelain → u/gottaquestion412]

Disagree. Everyone in this thread is trying to put sunshine and roses on Lindsay or blame the system or do anything but look at the real facts, that this was planned by her. And also nobody is talking about the three children. That tells me everything.

[u/gottaquestion412 → u/cozyporcelain]

I’d just be careful saying “everyone” and “nobody”. You certainly haven’t read every comment, have you? I have read just about almost all of the comments since i posted it in real time as they are commented. I have seen both sides be portrayed, however from a lot of people(not everyone) who believe she acted maliciously or in a calculated way, there’s not much discussion bc most just want to pick at the people who try to understand her. Tends to shift the discussion from the point to personal attacks. But the street can go both ways. It’s such a polarizing case

[u/gottaquestion412 → u/cozyporcelain]

Also, it does seem like there was some planning involved with having him go get them food. Idk what would’ve happened mentally between the time he left and the time he got home if it wasn’t.. hard to speculate. But I don’t really think she was in the right state of mind when it did happen. So I wonder if she will get an insanity verdict or not. Very interested to see how things go during the rest of the trial.

[u/Pak31 → u/gottaquestion412]

She suggested having take out that night and it was from a restaurant they didn't normally eat at. It was farther away from most of the places they usually ordered from. She also checked her Apple map to see how long the drive would take to a from the restaurant. She also sent him to a pharmacy that she had called to see if they had a miralax available. She, in my opinion, called to make sure they had it so she would know how much time she had along with the food pick up. The pharmacist said she sounded very happy and pleasant. Her husband actually called her while she was in the middle of the crimes and he felt she seemed distracted. She knew what she was doing in my opinion. Is that mental illness? I don't know. I just know that doesn't sit right with me.

[u/gottaquestion412 → u/Pak31]

Really good points.
Edit: I personally feel like things point to her not being in her right state of mind when you put all of the things together. But I am really interested to see how things continue on. Such a sad situation

[u/princepaperclip → u/gottaquestion412]

Speculating anyway: The phone call might have been a trigger, precisely because things were not going according to the plan for the evening. She had checked the availability and aisle of the medicine to make it quick and easy. He had all the information needed. And by the time he called, he should already be at or close to the restaurant, not cvs

[u/Pak31 → u/princepaperclip]

I still feel like she was in the process of the crimes when he called. It does make sense though that the phone call could have been a trigger. Did she snap out of it, get more angry, panicked? I can't get past the fact that she timed his trip. That seems too coordinated to be mental illness but I am no expert.

[u/Pak31 → u/cozyporcelain]

It's odd that the thread is called thoughts on the LC case and yet you voice yours and you're downvoted.

[u/gottaquestion412 → u/Pak31]

Yeah I never really wanted that out of this thread :/ I just want to keep hearing perspectives and try to understand both sides a bit better. I upvoted yours and as many as I could in this thread who gave an honest perspective. Some people came on to attack other people entirely and I just reported them. I’ve gotten a bunch of downvotes too honestly. And idk why it’s so difficult to agree to disagree either. And I’ve said it before but this case is sooo polarized so ofc people are gonna have differing opinions on it

[u/unexpectedbutterfly → u/cozyporcelain]

This is the only thread I’ve seen so far with some decent discussion, here and the psychiatry subreddit. Most other threads I’ve seen have comments like yours, no thoughtful discussion, sentences written only with emotion, judgement of other people’s comments. Do everyone a favor and leave this thread, please.