Patrick Clancy, the father of three children killed in January 2023, has spoken publicly for the first time in a 60 Minutes interview about his grief, his ex-wife Lindsay Clancy’s mistrial, and his plans to start a new family. Clancy described the moment he realized his youngest son, Callan, would not survive after being strangled along with his siblings, Cora (5) and Dawson (3). He recounted his desperate plea—'Just give me one'—as he clung to hope for Callan’s survival before the baby died in his arms four days later.
Clancy’s interview follows the conclusion of Lindsay Clancy’s trial, which ended in a mistrial on September 4 after jurors deadlocked 11-1 in favor of acquittal. The lone holdout sided with prosecutors, who argued that Lindsay Clancy was criminally responsible for the killings. Her defense team maintained she suffered from postpartum psychosis, a rare condition that can impair judgment. The court has not yet determined whether a retrial will occur.
Immediate Aftermath and Legal Status
Clancy, 36, found his children’s bodies in the basement of their Duxbury, Massachusetts, home on January 24, 2023, after returning from errands. His ex-wife, Lindsay Clancy, had sent him out of the house under the pretense of picking up medication and food. Upon his return, he discovered Lindsay outside with self-inflicted injuries, having jumped from an upstairs window. She survived but was paralyzed. The children were strangled with exercise bands.
The mistrial has left the legal status of Lindsay Clancy’s case unresolved. Prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will pursue a retrial. Clancy’s interview aired as public scrutiny intensifies, with online speculation questioning his role in the tragedy. He and his new wife, Dr. Rachel Danis, have faced online suspicion, which they addressed in the interview.
Patrick Clancy’s Account of the Tragedy
Clancy described the months leading up to the killings as a period of escalating crisis for Lindsay. In October 2022, five months after Callan’s birth, she reported going several nights without sleep. Over the next two months, she made repeated emergency room visits and was briefly admitted to a postpartum depression program. Her condition worsened in December, marked by deep depression, intrusive thoughts, and a lack of sleep. On New Year’s Eve, she checked herself into McLean Psychiatric Hospital for treatment but was discharged days later in time to celebrate Cora’s fifth birthday on January 7, 2023.
Less than three weeks later, the killings occurred. Clancy recounted finding his children in the basement, with Callan still alive. He rushed the baby to Boston Children’s Hospital, where Callan’s heartbeat was briefly restored. Clancy described his fleeting hope for the infant’s survival, saying, 'I really thought there was a chance that Callan would live.' He recalled pleading, 'Just give me one. Just give me one kid,' before learning the prognosis was fatal. Callan died in Clancy’s arms four days later.
Grief and Moving Forward
Clancy spoke candidly about the profound impact of his children’s deaths on his mental health. He revealed that he considered suicide and did not expect to live past his 35th birthday. 'There was a time where I didn't think I would live to see my 35th birthday, and I was completely fine with it,' he said. His life, once structured around family routines, lost all purpose. He described driving past his children’s school and being unable to continue, overwhelmed by grief.
In the interview, Clancy also addressed his relationship with Lindsay Clancy. Despite the tragedy, he expressed a willingness to forgive her, though he did not elaborate on the circumstances of the killings. He and Danis, whom he married in April 2024, announced plans to start a family together. Clancy stated they intend to honor the memory of Cora, Dawson, and Callan by sharing their stories with future children.
Ongoing Investigations and Public Reaction
The case has drawn national attention, sparking debates about mental health care, postpartum illness, and criminal responsibility. Online communities have speculated about Clancy’s involvement, with some users alleging he played a role in the deaths. Clancy and Danis have condemned these theories, calling them harmful and unfounded. The Massachusetts court system has not publicly commented on whether a retrial will proceed.
Clancy’s interview provides the first public account from a key figure in the case since the mistrial. His statements offer insight into the personal toll of the tragedy while leaving critical legal and medical questions unanswered. The court’s next steps remain uncertain as the family seeks to rebuild amid continued scrutiny.