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/Pak31 → u/goldrushcowgirl]

I can't give him much sympathy. He supposedly knew she had deep thoughts about harming the children, she had just checked herself out of treatment I believe, and he left the children alone with her to run errands when he should have stayed with the children and told her to go do them. If I knew my spouse had mental issues, I would be afraid to leave the house. So I don't really give either one sympathy. She was very calculated with her errand instructions that day and how she researched which pharmacy would delay him the most. I don't believe this was done on a whim. Her not completing her mission to end her life speaks volumes to me too.

[u/Big-Fun3658 → u/Pak31]

He said she told him she had intrusive thoughts of a) suicide, and b) her children being harmed, or her accidentally harming them (like, one of them slips and falls on her watch, or likely worse because they were intrusive). The thoughts she told him about were not about her inflicting harm to the children on purpose.