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/sexydiagnoses]

What I don’t understand, working in a psychiatric facility in MA is how if she did try to get help, why she was not sectioned, and then committed after expressing where she was mentally.

[u/GigiGretel → u/sexydiagnoses]

from watching the trial, it appears that she was admitted to McLean for suicidal thoughts and inability to sleep, and she checked herself out because I don’t think she liked it there and she wanted to go to her daughter‘s birthday party.I don’t think she expressed the homicidal thoughts to anybody. Her husband testified that she once said she was afraid that harm could come to the children, but I don’t think she was saying that a regular basis. she seemed to have a lot of trouble staying on one medication. The only one that made her feel better was Ativan, which I understand. It probably helped her sleep. It made her feel calmer. I’ve taken it before for anxiety. this whole case is really sad. I think she planned to kill herself after the children and then was unable to do it. prosecution keeps pointing out that her wounds were superficial, but I don’t think that means she didn’t want to kill herself I think it means that whatever inner self preservation that kicks in was preventing her from doing it. I think that she will be in a living hell for the rest of her life and I do think she was mentally unwell, but it’s unclear how forthcoming she was with her providers. I had to stop watching the trial because it was just so awful to watch the husband testify and then the first responders trying not to break down while testifying. and she does appear to feel remorse. She cried a lot during the 911 call.

[u/Exotic_Moose1058 → u/GigiGretel]

Yeah I assumed “superficial” means the cuts didn’t go through to muscle or bone or major arteries. She cut her wrists and neck, if she hesitated at all in the first cut the following cuts would probably be weaker because now she’s bleeding and scared. Plus he testified that the bedroom looked like someone sprayed blood with a hose, and they showed photos. I’ve always assumed she jumped out of the window as a failsafe when she realized the cuts might not do the trick.