A GoFundMe campaign established to support the parents of Lindsay Clancy, the nurse accused of strangling her three young children, has raised over $1.05 million from more than 30,000 donors. The significant sum has prompted questions about its intended use and led to donors facing harassment. The campaign was initiated by Brandee Mulligan, a 42-year-old mother of three from Wisconsin who had never met Clancy's parents, Michael and Paula Musgrove.
Mulligan, who was inspired by the case and sympathetic to Clancy's alleged mental health struggles, launched the GoFundMe after learning that GoFundMe's terms prohibit fundraising for legal defense in violent crimes. Instead, the funds are designated for Clancy's parents to cover unspecified expenses. Mulligan stated she initiated the campaign without direct permission from the Musgroves, but they later reached out to express their appreciation.
Lindsay Clancy, a 36-year-old former nurse, admitted to strangling her children – Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callan, 8 months – in January 2023. Her defense team has argued that she was not guilty by reason of postpartum psychosis, attributing her actions to severe mental health issues and failures within the medical system. Clancy's husband, Patrick, has stated he has forgiven her and is working to improve perinatal mental healthcare through his organization, The Heard Foundation.
Support for the Musgrove Family
Michael and Paula Musgrove, both retired, relocated from Connecticut to Massachusetts to be closer to their daughter during the trial, staying in hotels. Neighbor John Roarke described them as "good, hard-working, regular, middle-class people" who raised Lindsay and her sister well. The Musgroves' home in Connecticut, where they raised their daughters, was purchased for $172,000 in 1996. Following the tragedy, Lindsay's ex-husband sold their marital home in Duxbury, Massachusetts, for $675,000; the division of those proceeds is not publicly known.
A separate GoFundMe, initiated by a relative of Patrick Clancy, raised $1.08 million in the immediate aftermath of the children's deaths to support Patrick with medical bills, funeral services, and legal assistance.
Clancy's defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, a renowned criminal defense lawyer, has been noted for his supportive demeanor towards Clancy during the proceedings. Mulligan, who was a frequent commentator on the case on TikTok, expressed her belief that the funds raised for the Musgroves will be used wisely for pressing needs.
However, the substantial amount raised has led some to question the implications of a large sum of money being generated following the deaths of three children. One anonymous donor, who contributed thousands of dollars, reported being harassed with hateful messages on social media platforms after their donation was revealed. This donor expressed sympathy for Clancy's situation but stated the experience was overwhelming.
Lindsay Clancy sustained injuries, including paralysis from the waist down, after jumping from a second-story window in an apparent suicide attempt following the killings. Prosecutors have suggested this attempt may have been staged. Her ongoing medical needs are currently covered by the state, but she would require specialized care and a modified home if released. Under Massachusetts law, psychiatric detentions are subject to regular review, and individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity could be released in a matter of years.