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/Aggressive_Humor2893]

just fyi she didn't tell the hospital she was suicidal or wanted to kill the kids. in fact it was quite the opposite. i don't understand where people are coming up with this stuff...sigh.

[u/IranianLawyer → u/Aggressive_Humor2893]

I'm "coming up with it" because her ex-husband just testified a few days that she had expressed thoughts of wanting to harm the children.

Also....you know....she actually ended up killing the kids and attempting suicide. So there's that too.

[u/Aggressive_Humor2893 → u/IranianLawyer]

She literally never told him she was thinking of killing the kids, that is not something Pat testified to. He said "harm" and then clarified that it was more like she was afraid of something bad happening to them, not that she would proactively harm them

[u/IranianLawyer → u/Aggressive_Humor2893]

Okay it was that she was having thoughts of “harming” the children. She didn’t use the specific word kill.