Patrick Clancy speaks out after mistrial in ex-wife Lindsay Clancy's murder trial
Patrick Clancy is speaking out following the mistrial in his ex-wife's high-profile murder case in the killing of their three young children.
Lindsay Clancy, whose attorneys said she was suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time, pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of the couple's children at the family's home in Duxbury, Massachusetts, in January 2023.
In an interview with "60 Minutes" that aired Sunday, Patrick Clancy recalled Lindsay Clancy struggling with her mental health in the months before the deaths of their children, 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 8-month-old Callan.
Patrick Clancy said he first noticed Lindsay Clancy struggling in October 2022, when she went several nights without sleeping. By December, he said she was experiencing a "huge lack of sleep, deep, deep depression, intrusive thoughts" and eventually went to the hospital.
"I didn't know how to manage a postpartum illness," he said. "I think mental illness has this ability to be tragically deceptive. I'm sure there are things that I didn't see."
Patrick Clancy also recalled the night his children were found and said he initially believed there was a chance Callan would survive.
Callan's heart continued beating for four days, he said.
"I'm so grateful for those four days that I had with him. And I'm so grateful he hung on," he said, adding that he was able to hold his son before he died in his arms.
Patrick Clancy also discussed his decision to forgive Lindsay Clancy and how she has been portrayed since the deaths.
"I saw headlines that said, you know, killer mom and baby murderer monster, and none of them were accurate. I believe that it was her mental illness that caused that," he said.
When asked whether Lindsay Clancy had ever asked him for forgiveness, Patrick Clancy said, "No. But I gave it to her."
Patrick Clancy said he struggled with suicidal thoughts after his children's deaths. He also addressed claims and conspiracy theories about him that have circulated online since the killings and during Lindsay Clancy's trial.
"It's deeply harmful to the legacy of my children," he said. "It is a huge distraction from what really matters here, which is perinatal mental health. And it's done real harm to real people, myself included but also others."
Patrick Clancy, who now lives in New York City, said that after the deaths, his life "came to a screeching halt."
"There was a day where I, really without thinking, I drove by their school. And it was at the exact time that all of their friends were getting dropped off. And I was just -- I couldn't be there anymore," he said.
He discussed rebuilding his life with his wife, Dr. Rachel Danis, whom he said he met through a running club in New York in January 2024. The couple married in April and said they are starting a family.
"I always try to take some of the weight from Pat," Danis said during the interview. "I know I can't fix, I can't bring his kids back, but if I can honor them and allow Pat to grieve, but also just continue to honor them in the present, I guess that's all I can do."
When asked about how he'll share memories of Cora, Dawson and Callan with his future child, Patrick Clancy said, "I think every parent can agree, you have different relationships with your kids, but they're all your kids, and I can't wait to tell them about their brothers and sister."
During the trial, Lindsay Clancy's defense argued she was not criminally responsible for the deaths of their children because she was suffering from postpartum psychosis. Prosecutors argued that Clancy knew right from wrong and was criminally responsible for the killings.
Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial on Sept. 4 after the jury said it could not reach a unanimous verdict following seven days of deliberations.
A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 29 to determine the next steps in the case.
If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org.
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