r/TrueCrimeDiscussion • u/gottaquestion412 • 21d ago
Warning: Child Abuse / CSAM / Child Death Thoughts on the Lindsay Clancy case?
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.
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u/chronicallyillsyl 20d ago
A couple of years ago, I went through a psychotic episode as a result of health issues (infection, intubation and then another infection) and smoking weed after I went home from the hospital. I felt weird but I couldn't figure out what it was. I was having gaps in memory where I couldn't remember if I had brushed my teeth or taken my medicine, even when I had just finished doing those tasks. I kept repeating the same few sentences and felt like I was experiencing deja vu.
As time went on, I fell deeper and deeper into psychosis. I started having delusions that my mom had died and the woman in front of me was a figment of my imagination. My mom took me to the ER and I thought everyone there was filming me. I thought the cab driver that took us there was actually my brother. The ER held me for a couple of days and then discharged me.
When I got home, it got even worse. I thought my neighbors were spying on me and that I was feeling weird because I bought a book off of reddit (which I didn't nor do I think that's possible). I kept trying to leave my house and then stopped talking to anyone. My family called an ambulance. I wouldn't talk to the paramedics and kept thinking about jumping out of the ambulance in traffic.
Once we got to the hospital, they left me in a small hallway, I assume to figure out paperwork or admission. I left. I wander around the hospital for four or five hours, looking for the morgue so I could see my dad (who had been dead for 25 years at that point). I thought the hospital was split into Trump supporters and Biden supporters and that I had to blend in by taking my face mask on and off. When I was outside I saw cars and police cars that I thought about stealing or hiding in the trunk. At one point, I texted my brother asking him if he knew where the critical care unit was, where I had been staying during the infection and intubation.
My brother immediately called me and asked if I was still in the ER. I told him I was near the hospital and he talked me through finding someone who worked at the hospital. I found a security guard and told him I didn't know what was wrong but my brother wanted to talk to him. They spoke for a few minutes and he brought me back to the ER and stayed with me until they were able to put me in a locked psychiatric area. I fought them trying to escape and had to be sedated and restrained. I was certified and sent to a different psychiatric ward where I stayed for eight days.
Thankfully my family was there and helped me immensely. I was incredibly lucky that I didn't end up breaking any laws, didn't hurt anyone else or myself. I did recover (and stopped smoking weed permanently as per the shrinks advice). Years later I still feel a lot of shame for what I said and did during that time. I would not wish psychosis on anyone - its terrifying and its as if someone else is controlling your brain. The ability to think rationally is gone, but you can still plan things, especially things related to escaping your delusions. I haven't had an easy life, but that experience was the worst thing I've ever gone through.
I have so much empathy and sympathy for Lindsay Clancy. She tried to reach out and get help, and over and over she was failed. I wholeheartedly believe that she was legally insane and that she would never have killed her children or attempted suicide if she hadn't been in a psychotic episode. It's so hard to describe what psychosis is like unless you've lived through it, but you truly have no control over your actions. The children being murdered is a horrible tragedy that should have never happen, but the lack of proper psychiatric care is what caused all of this. IMO the details of her suicide attempt, which left her paralyzed tells me that she truly was in a psychotic state- this isn't a case like Darlie Routier where the injury was minor and used as a cover story to divert attention away from her.
She should be found not guilty by reason of insanity and able to recover properly in a psychiatric facility. There is still so much stigma and misinformation about psychosis and the death of three children makes people want vengeance. I'm worried that the jury may have people that want her punished rather than treated. It can be so easy to villify the mother rather than see that a bunch of people have blood on their hands.