Patrick Clancy Speaks After Mistrial of Lindsay Clancy

After a mistrial was declared in Lindsay Clancy’s murder case, Patrick Clancy opened up for the first time about the tragic events that unfolded. He recounted the day he learned of his children’s strangulation, the anguish of spending days in the hospital with his son, and how he and his new wife are now expecting a child.

During a recent segment on “60 Minutes,” host Ross Douthat inquired about the early signs of Lindsay’s severe depression and anxiety leading up to the incident, including her attempts at finding help before she took the lives of their three children—Cora, Dawson, and Callan.

The couple had been married for six years and resided in Duxbury, Massachusetts, when Lindsay started making multiple visits to the emergency room about five months after the birth of Callan in 2022. She had sought treatment for postpartum depression and was increasingly prescribed medication.

When asked to identify the lowest point of Lindsay’s mental health struggles, Patrick recounted particularly trying times in December, just a month before the tragedy occurred.

“I could see that she was really suffering from anxiety and depression, but managing postpartum illness was something I didn’t understand,” Patrick noted. “Mental illness can often be tragically deceptive, and I’m sure there were things I missed.”

“December was really challenging for her—a huge lack of sleep, deep depression, intrusive thoughts, which led her to the hospital by the end of that month,” he recalled.

The tragedy struck on January 24, 2023. Patrick arrived home after stopping to pick up dinner, only to find Lindsay in the backyard, having jumped from an upstairs window after inflicting harm on herself.

In the basement, he discovered their three children had been strangled with exercise bands. While Cora and Dawson were pronounced dead at the scene, Callan was still alive and was rushed to Boston Children’s Hospital.

With deep emotion, Patrick reflected on his last moments with Callan, who clung to life for four days before passing away in his father’s arms.

“I didn’t have all the details about Callan’s condition, but I held onto hope,” Patrick shared, fighting back tears. “When I got to the hospital, I saw the doctor’s expression, and I knew it wasn’t going to be good news. I’m grateful for those four days.”

He recounted how he spent those final days holding Callan and writing tributes to his children with one hand while grasping Callan’s hand with the other.

“Did you talk to him during those days?” Douthat asked. Patrick confirmed, “Yeah.” When asked what he said, he replied, “I told him I was so sorry. I got to hold him and he passed away in my arms.”

As the conversation shifted to the intense scrutiny surrounding the case, Douthat asked about Patrick’s feelings toward forgiving Lindsay, which many found surprising.

“I read headlines calling her ‘Killer Mom’ and ‘Baby Murderer,’ which aren’t accurate. It was her mental illness that caused such actions,” Patrick explained. “If I didn’t reach that point of forgiveness, I worried it would consume me.”

When Douthat asked if Patrick had questioned Lindsay about the killings, he revealed that he inquired if she remembered the events.

“She said it felt like a dream,” Patrick reported, describing her memories of it with a dream-like quality.

Reflecting on his own mental state following the loss of his children, Patrick admitted there was a time when he wasn’t sure if he’d live to see his 35th birthday, stating he had come to terms with this possibility.

He felt he needed to leave Duxbury, relocating to New York City in search of anonymity. “Five weeks after moving, I had to think about celebrating Callan’s first birthday—after he had passed. I lit a candle at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and walked out, crying. No one cared, and that was exactly what I needed.”

Addressing the media attention and various narratives surrounding the trial, Patrick expressed concern over the impact on his children’s legacy.

“It’s painful to see the media’s portrayal. It detracts from the real issues at hand, such as perinatal mental health, and can cause real harm,” Patrick lamented. “People can sometimes believe the lies that circulate.”

Patrick has sought support from organizations like Postpartum Support International and experts in mental health. His journey led him to a new beginning with his wife, Rachel Danis, a fertility doctor he met in January 2024.

During the “60 Minutes” segment, the couple revealed they are expecting a child.

“What will you tell your child about their siblings?” Douthat asked. “I believe every parent has different relationships with their kids, but they’re all your kids. I can’t wait to share stories about their brothers and sister,” Patrick replied.

Lindsay remains in Tewksbury Hospital, awaiting the decision on whether she will be retried for the deaths of her three children.