Patrick Clancy Says He Begged for One Child to Survive
In his first television interview since the mistrial in his ex-wife's case, Patrick Clancy shares details of his children's final moments and his struggle with grief.
Patrick Clancy recounted the harrowing moments after his ex-wife, Lindsay Clancy, killed their three young children, revealing he pleaded with medical staff for at least one child to survive.
In an interview with CBS News' "60 Minutes," Clancy described holding his infant son, Callan, as he died in his arms four days after the killings. His two other children, 5-year-old Cora and 3-year-old Dawson, were already dead when he arrived at the hospital.
"I remember that night, I really thought there was a chance that Callan would live," Patrick Clancy said. "And I remember just thinking, ‘Just give me one. Just give me one kid,’ and I would raise him as best I could, and I would give him the best life I possibly could. And I'd tell him about his brother and sister."
Clancy’s interview followed a mistrial in Lindsay Clancy's murder trial. Her defense argued she was suffering from postpartum psychosis, while prosecutors contended she was aware of her actions. The jury was split 11-1, with the majority leaning towards a finding of not criminally responsible due to mental illness.
A Father's Grief
Patrick Clancy detailed the overwhelming grief he experienced, admitting there were times he doubted he would survive the emotional toll. He recounted leaving his Duxbury, Massachusetts, home for New York City to grieve privately. On what would have been Callan's first birthday, he visited St. Patrick's Cathedral, finding solace in being able to cry openly on Fifth Avenue without drawing attention.
"I thought, this is where I need to be. I can grieve," he said. His apartment in Manhattan remains filled with mementos of his children, including a baby sloth Cora carried and a photograph of Callan. He also shared that his children visit him in vivid dreams, offering moments of comfort.
Clancy stated he has forgiven Lindsay, despite her never asking for his forgiveness. He believes her actions were a result of severe mental illness, and he feared succumbing to anger if he did not extend forgiveness.
"I felt that if I didn't get there, I would be eaten up inside," he explained. He recalled asking Lindsay about her memory of the events, to which she described it as dreamlike.
Online Attacks and a New Chapter
Following the mistrial, Patrick Clancy faced what he described as a "trial by TikTok," with online speculation and baseless theories circulating that portrayed him negatively and questioned his role in the tragedy. He expressed concern that such repeated misinformation could lead people to believe falsehoods and harm the memory of his children.
He has sought support from organizations like Postpartum Support International and consulted with mental health experts to help process the events. "It's deeply harmful to the legacy of my children," he said. "It is a huge distraction from what really matters here, which is perinatal mental health, and it's done real harm to real people."
Patrick Clancy has since remarried. He met Dr. Rachel Danis, a runner, in January 2024, and they married in April. Danis expressed her support for Clancy and his desire to eventually tell a future child about their siblings, Cora, Dawson, and Callan. "You have different relationships with your kids, but they're all your kids," he said. "And I can't wait to tell them about their brothers and sister."
Prosecutors have not yet announced whether they intend to retry Lindsay Clancy.