Patrick Clancy remains hopeful for the life of his 8-month-old son, Callan, after a tragic event in January 2023, where Lindsay Clancy killed him and his siblings—5-year-old Cora and 3-year-old Dawson. This was shared during a “60 Minutes” interview that aired on Sunday.
Upon returning to his Duxbury, Massachusetts home from a quick errand, Patrick found Lindsay in the backyard with severe self-inflicted injuries. She had jumped from an upstairs window, resulting in cuts to her throat and wrists, according to CBS News.
Patrick, age 36, discovered his children strangled in the basement. While Cora and Dawson were found lifeless, Callan was still alive and was subsequently airlifted to Boston Children’s Hospital.
“I really thought there was a chance that Callan would live,” he expressed during the interview. “In my mind, I kept thinking, ‘Just give me one. One kid, and I’ll raise him to the best of my ability, sharing stories about his brother and sister.’ I held onto that hope.”
Callan’s heart remained beating for four days post-incident. “I got to hold him. I laid down next to him, and he died in my arms,” Patrick disclosed.
In the days that followed, Patrick penned tributes to his three children and publicly forgave Lindsay, now his ex-wife. He reflected on the negative headlines labeling her as a “Killer Mom” and “Monster,” asserting that her mental illness played a significant role in the tragic events. “None of those labels felt accurate,” he said. “I truly believe her mental illness caused this.”
Following this tragedy, Patrick and Lindsay lodged malpractice lawsuits against the medical professionals involved in her care. While some have rejected responsibility, others have yet to respond to the allegations.
During the interview, he emphasized that he believes he made the best choices given the circumstances and that he confronts the painful reality every single day. “There was one day shortly after the incident where I just… without even thinking, drove by their school. It was exactly when their friends were being dropped off. I realized I couldn’t be there anymore,” he reflected.
When asked if he had contemplated suicide, Patrick admitted, “There was a time I doubted I would see my 35th birthday. And, honestly, I was okay with that.”
After relocating to New York City in April 2023, seeking privacy, he faced the challenge of marking Callan’s first birthday just weeks after the loss. “Five weeks after moving, I grappled with how to celebrate Callan’s first birthday. So, I went to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, lit a candle, and said, ‘I love you, buddy.’ I walked out onto Fifth Avenue, and I just broke down… But no one cared. In that moment, I realized that this is where I needed to be—I could grieve freely,” he shared, visibly emotional.
Before leaving their family home, Patrick kept mementos of his children, including a stuffed sloth belonging to Cora, a photo of Callan in a bow tie, and Dawson’s cherished helicopter.
The full “60 Minutes” interview can be accessed through various outlets.
In a turn of events, by April, Patrick had remarried Rachel Danis, a fertility doctor in New York City. Danis met Patrick at a running club in January 2024 and they connected over coffee. During the interview, she recounted the moment when Patrick’s phone revealed a sweet photo of his children as his wallpaper. “I inquired about those precious faces, and he simply said, ‘Those are my kids.’ I then asked if they lived in Massachusetts, and he replied, ‘They died.’ This all happened right by the cashier,” she recounted with emotion.
Danis expressed her desire to help carry some of the grief for Patrick, recognizing it was impossible to bring back his children. “If I can help honor them while allowing Patrick to grieve, that’s really all I can offer,” she noted.
The couple shared their plans to start a family and Patrick is preparing to tell their future child about Cora, Dawson, and Callan. He remarked, “I think every parent would agree—you have different connections with your kids, but they are all your kids. I am looking forward to sharing their stories.”
During Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial, Patrick testified and faced a swirl of online speculation and scrutiny that painted him in a negative light. “It’s excruciating to witness,” he admitted. “It complicates being in public when these narratives spread, and some may start believing the fabrications.
He described the intense emotional toll of testifying, recalling a severe panic attack on the second day. “They had to take me by ambulance,” he said. “They offered medication, but I refused, wanting to complete my testimony.” Ultimately, Clancy’s trial concluded with a hung jury earlier this month.
