Content warning: This story mentions mental illness, attempted suicide, and infanticide.
I have never been one to watch true crime. I’ve never found the tension of it truly amusing in any way. In fact, more often than not, mystery and crime bring an unwanted anxiety into my life. However, as I’ve grown older and as my sister is an avid fan of Ashley Flowers, I have become increasingly exposed to the genre of true crime. And, even with Flowers’ captivating case summaries, I still find it disturbing and unsettling. This is until I came across the case of Lindsay Clancy in all of its astounding complexity. Transparently, I stumbled upon this case through TikTok and subsequently fell down a speculative rabbit hole. While this case has been widely debated across social media, it is my opinion that it should be discussed with the utmost sensitivity and perspective. I have no intention of writing a day-by-day trial breakdown, nor do I care to discuss alternative explanations for what occurred. Instead, I hope to call attention to something potentially less thrilling but equally important. Amidst all the theories, this case continues to highlight something much more prominent within our health care system: a consistent lack of attentiveness to women who are seeking care.
To give a brief overview of the case at hand, Clancy is being tried by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the murders of her three children: Cora (5), Dawson (3), and Callan (8 months), which took place on Jan. 24, 2023. It is alleged that she took the lives of her children before attempting to take her own life, all while her husband, Patrick, was running errands. I want to emphasize that while trial proceedings and witness testimonies have concluded, no verdict has been decided by the jury. As of right now, Clancy has maintained her plea as Not Guilty on all three charges. One potential court outcome that can be landed upon by the jury is that referred to as Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI). Clancy’s attorney, Kevin Reddington, has made it clear that he and Clancy are going down this route and trying to land on a NGRI verdict. So, what is it that brings up this concern and claim of insanity?
After the birth of her third child, Callan, Clancy had voiced feelings of depression and anxiety, dark thoughts, and health concerns to not only her loved ones, but to medical professionals as well. These practitioners documented and treated Clancy for what they recognized to be postpartum depression. This isn’t a novel diagnosis. In fact, 1 in 8 women nationally suffer from postpartum depression. The concerning part of Clancy’s story lies within her prescribed treatment regimen. She was prescribed a total of 13 different psychiatric medications and had 32 separate prescriptions (refills, dosage adjustments, and new fills) within the four-month period leading up to the incident.
These prescriptions were issued across multiple providers, not one considering the effects that this quantity of medication might inflict on a postpartum mother. Any woman keeping up with this case can sympathize with this. Overmedicated and misunderstood by health care providers. When I came across this medical evidence, it seemed to me that Clancy was like any other postpartum mother across the world: shouting into a clinical void, begging for proper treatment, and asking help of anyone who would listen. It’s disturbing, and it is disheartening. I believe Clancy was a victim of medical malpractice and neglected by professionals specifically licensed to help patients of her condition. Yet, there was an oversight. One that allegedly drove Clancy to insanity and this horrific incident. One that her attorney has dedicated himself to uncovering, and it rests within one of the most highly regarded medical appendices of the health care world: the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, more commonly referred to as DSM-5.
As a woman, I have long understood that doctors simply have a better knowledge of the male body. Despite having doctors that specialize in female health, there is still plenty of gray area in terms of discovery and diagnoses. Reddington has made this a crucial part of his defense, noting the absence of postpartum psychosis in the DSM-5: a resource doctors often reference when landing on patient diagnoses. While we know that postpartum depression is a common diagnosis, its regression into a psychotic state is less accounted for. Postpartum psychosis not even being recognized in the DSM-5 displays a massive gap in research and discovery for women’s health. While it is rare, this condition should absolutely be present in conversations regarding postpartum care. Doctors should understand it to be a possibility, especially in women with a previous history of psychiatric problems or bipolar affective disorder, two of the recognized determinants in cases past. Without a broader knowledge of this condition, how are doctors supposed to properly treat their patients?
Regardless of the jury’s verdict, it is obvious to me that Clancy was failed by her medical providers and wasn’t treated with the necessary care after the birth of her third child. As an occasional viewer of the trial, it is also painfully apparent to me that the medical experts being called to testify are displaying a near boredom for the trial at hand. They are unamused, unprepared, and often irritated when being cross-examined. While I can’t imagine a trial of this nature is convenient, it is their job to speak to their medical records on Clancy and describe her behaviors leading up to the incident. Their displays of irritation and disrespect on the stand only reinforce the idea that she was never a priority to them.
Women should not have to seek multiple health care providers to feel seen, heard, and accounted for. This case displays the tragedy that can come with mental health oversight and a lack of investment into female wellness. Women deserve visibility and access to providers that understand female-specific conditions beyond the surface level. I hope that Lindsay Clancy’s story inspires women to seek help if needed. But, I also hope medical professionals take the time to realize that patients aren’t just names on charts. They are human beings, and their feelings can manifest into real tragedy.
MENTAL HEALTH: If you or someone you know is seeking help for mental health concerns, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website, or call 1-800-950-NAMI(6264). For confidential treatment referrals, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website, or call the National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP(4357). In an emergency, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or call 911.
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION/ANXIETY: If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or anxiety during pregnancy, or in the postpartum period, contact the Postpartum Health Alliance warmline at (888) 724-7240, or Postpartum Support International at (800) 944-4773. If you are thinking of harming yourself or your baby, get help right away by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or dialing 911. For more resources, you can visit Postpartum Support International.