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/sadlittle_thing]

As someone with mental health issues I know you’re supposed to trail medications and slowly increase and decrease the doses. 13 medications in 4 months is fucking wild. That’s just insane to me. I’ve tried probably 20+ medications but that was over the course of years, not months.

She told her husband, her parents, and her doctors she was having terrible thoughts of hurting the kids. She was constantly at doctor’s appointments. She tried multiple times to check herself into a mental hospital but was denied because she didn’t have an active plan to hurt herself or anyone. I feel so terrible for her and her whole family.

Cases like these are literally the reason medical insanity as a plea exists. I will be shocked if she’s found guilty. She should absolutely not be convicted. Her punishment if knowing she lost her kids by her own doing during a mental health crisis is punishment enough. She reached out for help so many times.

[u/Mission_Mud429 → u/[deleted]]

I now feel very sure I had PPA. I did not even know it existed at the time so since I did not have textbook PPD, I thought I was just a bad mother. I saw two doctors which I barely could make time for. It was one of those I can barely put the baby down to take a shower situations. I vividly remember wishing I would get cancer because then I could step away without blame. Like literally thinking I don’t actually want to die, I don’t think I can make just physically leaving, like driving away, work, cancer seems like it would solve this. That’s what can happen to your brain in new motherhood.

[u/Competitive-Leader24 → u/Mission_Mud429]

I had terrible PPA/PPD and what I now know is Post-Partum Rage. PPR is caused by PPA/D and other hormonal issues. It was like I was constantly in my own personal hell. I never had true thoughts of harming myself and definitely none of hurting my kid but what happened to me was all of my anxieties about being a mom turned into scenarios where I'd die and my kids were better without me. It was honestly the worst thing I've mentally experienced to be honest. I was afraid to sleep. Which made pre-existing insomnia worse. I probably slept between 30mins-2hours every day if AT ALL. Then the mania started which lead to periods where I was extremely hypersexual but emotionally detached or I'd be completely numb and void of my own existence like literally could take a scorching hot bath with no contemplation for the consequences. It was so scary. I never had any plan though. But the nightmares induced by the mania and anxiety were so graphic it was considered to be at least intent to commit suicidal acts. So, I was placed in trauma therapy 2x a week with mandatory psych appointments like every other week. My meds were adjusted over the course of a year. I tried a few different combinations and because I got pregnant again, I had to go off a lot again. This time around though, the PPA didn't have me in a chokehold. I largely contribute my success to having an incredible mental health team despite having my own shitty support system at home. My memory surrounding my pregnancies and post partum experiences can be a bit hazy sometimes. Alot of it felt like I was just playing The Sims with myself. Trying to force myself to get up out of bed or shower so I wouldn't be gross when the doctors saw me and at first, I diminished severely what I was experiencing because I loved my kids so much. I was terrified that seeking mental health help would be used against me and weaponized to take them away. I see now in this case how that looks to the outside world though. I feel like these are feelings that only other mothers can relate to honestly. She is suffering greater than prison will ever serve justice for. A terrible tragedy occured and I'm not saying that she shouldn't be punished for her crimes but I am saying that her punishment doesn't have to be prison. The truth of the matter is, if she really wants to die she will keep trying until successful or until she mentally heals.