Patrick Clancy reveals why he forgave ex-wife accused of killing their children

Patrick Clancy has revealed why he chose to forgive his ex-wife, Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing their three children in their Massachusetts home in January 2023.

Speaking in an interview with CBS, Patrick said he believed Lindsay’s severe mental illness contributed to the deaths of their children, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and eight-month-old Callan.

Lindsay has not disputed that she killed the children, but her lawyers argued that she should not be held legally responsible because she was suffering from severe mental illness, which they said included postpartum psychosis.

Patrick said his decision to forgive Lindsay came after he saw her described in the media as a “Killer Mom”, “Baby Murderer” and “Monster”.

“I believe that it was her mental illness that caused that. So I shared those words. And I think when it comes to forgiveness, I also felt that if I didn't get there, I would be eaten up inside forever,” he said.

Reflecting on Lindsay’s declining mental health before the tragedy, Patrick said he had tried to do what he could but did not know how to manage postpartum illness.

“I didn't know how to manage a postpartum illness. I think mental illness has this ability to be tragically deceptive,” he said.

When asked if he believed he had failed in any way during the period leading up to the killings, Patrick said he had done the best he could with the knowledge and circumstances he had at the time.

“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,” he said.

Patrick also revealed that he struggled with suicidal thoughts following the deaths of his children.

“I didn't think I would live to see my 35th birthday. And I was completely fine with it,” he said.

The case remains unresolved after a judge declared a mistrial earlier this month when jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict on whether Lindsay was guilty of murder. Prosecutors have not said whether they will seek a retrial.

Patrick was also subjected to intense online criticism and accusations during the seven-week trial, which he described as deeply harmful and distracting from the issue of perinatal mental health.

He later moved from Duxbury to New York City with his new wife, Rachel Danis, in an effort to escape the intense scrutiny.

Patrick said he is now focused on building a new family and hopes to one day tell his future children about their late siblings.

“I can't wait to tell them about their brothers and sister,” he said.