Content warning: This story mentions suicide, mental illness, and death.
The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, a former labor and delivery nurse accused of killing her three children in 2023, remains unresolved after a jury failed to reach a verdict in September. Following the mistrial, Clancy’s defense asked the judge to dismiss the charges. A Sept. 29 court hearing brought new developments, but the judge has yet to decide whether the case will move forward.
The case has received national attention because of the deaths of Clancy’s three children, the defense’s claim about her mental health, and the disagreement over whether she should be held criminally responsible. Her husband, Patrick Clancy, also recently spoke about the case in a 60 Minutes interview, sharing his experience and his decision to forgive his wife.
Clancy, who was 32 at the time of the murders, was charged with the deaths of her children: Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months. The children were found at the family’s home in Duxbury, Massachusetts, after being strangled with exercise bands. Clancy attempted suicide, but she miraculously survived, sustaining injuries that left her paralyzed in an assisted wheelchair.
Although the defense has acknowledged that Clancy killed her children, her attorneys have argued that she was experiencing postpartum psychosis and was not criminally responsible for her actions. Prosecutors, however, argued that she knew what she was doing and should be held accountable. The disagreement was the central issue during the trial.
In the months leading up to the killings, Clancy reportedly experienced significant mental health difficulties following the birth of her third child. Her husband, Patrick Clancy, described noticing changes in her behavior, such as sleeplessness and anxiety.
On Jan. 24, 2023, Patrick Clancy left the family home to pick up dinner. When he returned, he entered an oddly quiet home, discovering his three children in the basement. According to a WBAL11 article, it took him two minutes to connect to a 911 call and later discovered Lindsay Clancy outside from the two-story window, below the master bedroom. The children were taken to a hospital, where Cora Clancy and Dawson Clancy died. Callan Clancy survived for four days before dying from his injuries.
Throughout the trial, rather than disputing that she caused her children’s deaths, the defense turned to whether she understood her actions at the time of the murders.
On Sept. 4, after approximately seven days of back and forth, the jury remained tied. Eleven of the 12 jurors reportedly favored finding Clancy not criminally responsible, while one juror favored a murder conviction. Since the jury could not reach a unanimous decision, Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial. Following the mistrial, Clancy’s defense team filed a motion seeking to dismiss the charges, arguing that a second trial would violate her right against double jeopardy, which would protect her from being tried twice for the same offense.
The prosecution has not agreed that the case should be dismissed. The question is whether the circumstances surrounding the mistrial stop the state from retrying Clancy under the constitutional protection against double jeopardy.
Since the mistrial, Patrick Clancy appeared on CBS’s 60 Minutes, alongside his new wife, Rachel Danis, to discuss his grief, his relationship with Lindsay, and the aftermath of the trial. His decision to speak publicly came amid widespread online speculation about his involvement in the deaths. During the interview, Patrick addressed the theories and expressed frustration with the misinformation circulating about him and his family. Patrick added to the difficulty of rebuilding his life after the deaths of his children. He described moving to New York City, where he hoped to find some privacy and space to grieve.
Patrick Clancy’s statements about forgiving Lindsay Clancy could affect how the public views the case. However, she also pointed out that the interview did not address every issue raised during the trial, particularly the details surrounding Lindsay Clancy’s reported hallucinations and mental health symptoms.
He also discussed the challenges of navigating the medical system and finding appropriate treatments for her. Lindsay Clancy sought medical treatment and visited emergency rooms several times. She also entered a treatment program for postpartum depression, but was discharged after one day. During this period, she was prescribed several medications.
When asked whether she had ever requested his forgiveness, he explained that she had not, but that he had chosen to forgive her himself.
“I think I did the best I could with what I had at the time. And I live with the outcome. I live with it every day,”
Patrick Clancy – CBS 60 Minute Interview
Patrick Clancy touched on the night he discovered his children and the emotional impact of testifying during the trial. He revealed that he experienced a severe panic attack when attorneys played his 911 call in court. He described the experience as deeply traumatic, but said he returned to finish his testimony.
Lindsay Clancy’s defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, also commented on the interview, describing Patrick’s statements as consistent with what he had previously said. He continued to pursue the defense’s motion to dismiss the charges.
On Sept. 29, Clancy returned to court for the first time since the mistrial. Her attorney, Kevin Reddington, asked the judge to find her not guilty, arguing that prosecutors had not provided enough evidence to prove she killed her children.
During the original trial, her attorneys focused on her mental health, arguing that she suffered from postpartum psychosis and could not be held criminally responsible. At the latest hearing, Reddington challenged the evidence itself, including the police investigation and the timeline of events. Prosecutor Shanan Buckingham disagreed, arguing that the evidence presented at trial supported the charges. Judge William Sullivan has not yet ruled on the defense’s request. He has not decided whether that argument applies to Clancy’s case.
Prosecutors have not yet decided whether they will seek another trial. They are also considering other possible outcomes, including a plea agreement. Both sides have asked the court for more time to address the outstanding motions.
The next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 2; the judge is expected to address the remaining legal issues and discuss the possibility of setting a new trial date. If another trial is scheduled, Clancy’s attorney has said he would not be available before June 2027. For now, Clancy remains charged, and no final decision has been made about her case. The next hearing will help determine whether the charges move forward, are dismissed, or are resolved through another agreement.
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.