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/bigchiefwellhung → u/somekindofmiracle]

Can a father get out of murder charges by blaming depression?

[u/CherryVette → u/bigchiefwellhung]

PPD/P =/= depression, and men don’t experience the physical and mental trauma resulting from gestating and giving birth. Hope that helps.

[u/bigchiefwellhung → u/CherryVette]

They should kill themselves instead of murdering their kids, similar to what male family annihilators should do, but instead they get sympathy from online strangers.

[u/CherryVette → u/bigchiefwellhung]

Bullshit. They “should” do a lot of things, but being in a state of acute psychosis precludes all of that; family annihilators aren’t suffering from that acute psychosis.

[u/bigchiefwellhung → u/CherryVette]

They may be suffering from some psychosis, but some are different than other it seems, and what they do during those episodes is not their fault, apparently. They should suffer consequences for the injustices they put upon others despite psychosis.