Lindsay Clancy's Ex-Husband on Forgiving Her for Children's Killings
By Chris Graham, BBC News
Patrick Clancy, the ex-husband of Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of murdering their three children, has opened up about his decision to forgive her. In an interview with CBS (the BBC's US news partner), he shared his perspective on her mental health struggles and the tragedy that unfolded.
"It's painful to see," Patrick said about the online hate directed towards him and his family.
The Story Unfolds:
Lindsay Clancy has not disputed killing their children, Cora (5), Dawson (3), and Callan (8 months), in January 2023. Her lawyers argued that she should not be held criminally responsible due to severe mental illness. A mistrial was declared this month as the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on murder charges.
Patrick testified about Lindsay's deteriorating mental health after giving birth, attributing it to postpartum psychosis. He decided to forgive her, believing her actions were a result of her mental illness:
"I saw headlines... 'Killer Mom', and 'Baby Murderer', 'Monster'. And none of them were accurate," he said. "I believe that it was her mental illness that caused that."
He continued, emphasizing his forgiveness:
"If I didn't get there, I would be eaten up inside forever."
When asked about potential failures leading up to the tragedy, Patrick reflected:
"I think I did the best I could with what I had at the time. And I live with the outcome... every day."
The interview delved into Patrick's personal struggles and suicidal thoughts in the aftermath. He also addressed the online backlash he faced, calling it "deeply harmful" and a distraction from the importance of perinatal mental health.