Patrick Clancy discusses the deaths of his three children and his path forward
In his first interview since the trial of his ex-wife, Patrick Clancy recounted the events surrounding the killings of his three children, described his grief, and spoke about his new marriage and plans for the future.
Patrick Clancy, 36, sat down with a 60 Minutes correspondent after a mistrial in the case against his ex-wife, Lindsay Clancy, over the deaths of their three children – 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 8-month-old Callan. He said he returned home in early January to find his wife injured after a suicide attempt and his children strangled in the basement. Callan survived for four days before dying in his father's arms.
Clancy said he later wrote tributes to each child and publicly forgave Lindsay, attributing her actions to severe postpartum mental illness. He noted that both he and Lindsay have filed medical-malpractice lawsuits against health-care providers involved in her treatment.
During Lindsay’s trial, which ended in a hung jury, Clancy testified and experienced a panic attack that required ambulance transport. He declined medication in order to complete his testimony.
Since moving from Duxbury to New York City in April, Clancy has remarried Dr. Rachel Danis, a fertility specialist he met at a running club. Danis said she supports him by honoring his late children while encouraging him to look ahead. The couple plans to start a family, and Clancy said he hopes to tell any future children about their older siblings.
Clancy emphasized that the case has generated extensive public speculation and online commentary, which he described as painful and misleading. He added that outreach to other survivors and postpartum-health experts has helped him cope with his loss.