A woman with no direct ties to Lindsay Clancy, the mother accused of killing her three children, has raised over $1.2 million through a GoFundMe campaign intended to support Clancy's parents. Brandee Mulligan, a TikTok influencer and mother of three from Wisconsin, created "The Musgrove Family Fund" last month without initially consulting Clancy's parents, Michael and Paula Musgrove.
Mulligan stated her motivation stemmed from empathy as a mother, acknowledging that while Clancy's situation is a significant part of the context, her focus is on supporting her parents. The Musgroves have reportedly "uprooted their whole life for three and a half years" and have been instrumental in covering their daughter's legal expenses. Mulligan has since spoken with Clancy's father and made him the sole beneficiary of the fund.
Massachusetts, where Clancy's trial is taking place, is one of 23 states without a "Son of Sam" law. Such laws typically prevent individuals convicted of crimes from profiting from their notoriety. However, the absence of this law in Massachusetts means the funds raised could potentially be used by Clancy or her defense team, a point Mulligan has acknowledged.
Clancy's attorney, Kevin Reddington, previously indicated that the Musgroves had been expending their own resources to cover "every nickel" of Clancy's defense. The GoFundMe page, confirmed by the platform as being connected to the family, initially aimed for $2 million and was later raised to $3 million following a mistrial declared on September 4. Mulligan cited the ongoing expenses for the parents, including travel and accommodation, as reasons for the increased goal.
Mulligan has been active on social media, expressing support for Clancy and criticizing the lone juror who reportedly caused the mistrial. However, some of her posts have also raised questions about the involvement of Patrick Clancy, Lindsay Clancy's ex-husband, in the deaths of their children. This has drawn criticism from Patrick Clancy's attorney, who has threatened legal action against "influencers" spreading what they term "misinformation."
Mulligan stated that the primary purpose of the fund is to cover travel and living expenses for Michael, 70, and Paula Musgrove, 73, who travel from their home in Connecticut to be present for their daughter's trial in Plymouth, Massachusetts. She also expressed a broader hope that the case might prompt discussions about maternal mental health and the availability of support for mothers.
GoFundMe's policy generally prohibits campaigns from being used to fund legal defenses for violent crimes. When asked about safeguards to ensure the funds are not used for Clancy's defense, GoFundMe has not provided specific details. Mulligan, however, maintains that all parties involved are aware of the fund's intended use. She has also faced criticism online, with some accusing her of setting back women's rights by supporting Clancy.