Former Husband Testifies About Ex-Wife's Mental Health Prior to Children’s Deaths

Patrick Clancy, the former husband of Lindsay Clancy, took the stand as the prosecution’s first witness, describing his observations of her mental health decline in the months leading up to the deaths of their three children. Prosecutors allege Lindsay Clancy strangled her 5-year-old daughter, 3-year-old son and 8-month-old infant with exercise bands before attempting to jump from a second-story window; her defense argues she suffered postpartum psychosis and was injured in the fall.

Clancy said Lindsay began taking Zoloft in September 2022, but her anxiety and insomnia worsened, at one point going nearly 48 hours without sleep. He recounted a two-day work trip in November, after which he noticed increasing anxiety and depression. In early December she started Seroquel, lost weight, became deeply depressed and disclosed suicidal thoughts and “intrusive thoughts” about harming the children, though she denied any plan.

He and Lindsay attended an appointment with psychiatric nurse practitioner Rebecca Jollotta, who suggested possible bipolar disorder, which Clancy rejected. After a “worst day” in mid-December, Jollotta advised an emergency-room evaluation; Clancy drove Lindsay to Massachusetts General Hospital and later to a postpartum program in Rhode Island, which he later deemed “not the right fit.” He also pursued inpatient care at McLean Hospital, where she stayed five days. Clancy testified that the treatment appeared limited to nursing staff and that he was unaware of daily medical visits.

In January, Clancy described several family outings and a birthday party that gave him no cause for concern, noting that Lindsay seemed “much better” and more active. He said she told him she no longer had suicidal thoughts and never mentioned harming the children.

On the day of the killings, January 24, Clancy said the morning was routine, with Lindsay taking their daughter to a pediatrician appointment while he stayed with the younger children. After a brief outing to pick up medication and takeout, he returned to find the bedroom door locked, blood on the floor, an open window, and Lindsay lying outside with self-inflicted wounds. He reported that she told him she had tried to kill herself and that the children were in the basement. He later found the children deceased in the basement.

In a public statement posted after the incident, Clancy expressed forgiveness toward Lindsay and said he would focus on healing. He also testified that after the killings Lindsay called from the hospital, describing hearing a voice urging her to act, which was the first time he heard her mention auditory hallucinations.

The testimony provides a timeline of Lindsay Clancy’s mental-health treatment, the family’s actions, and the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths of the three children.