Corie Walsh, 40, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder after her 2-year-old son, Barrett, was found hanging in the family’s basement on Sept. 1. Court documents say Walsh told officers she believed the child was the "devil" and the "anti-Christ" and, during questioning, sang a version of "Follow the Yellow Brick Road." Her attorney described her as "psychotic" and denied any legal link between Walsh’s alleged actions and her interest in the Lindsay Clancy trial. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and mental-health issues are under review.
Illinois Mother Charged After Toddler Found Hanging — Allegedly Sang 'Follow the Yellow Brick Road' During Police Interview
A family portrait showing Corie Walsh, left, alongside her booking mugshot following her arrest on first-degree murder charges in Will County, Illinois. Walsh reportedly sang a rendition of "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" from "The Wizard of Oz" during police questioning.
Corie Walsh, 40, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder after her 2-year-old son, Barrett Walsh, was found hanging in the basement of the family’s suburban Chicago home on Sept. 1, according to court documents and law enforcement authorities.
Corie Walsh, top left, pictured with her husband and children wearing matching holiday pajamas on a couch.
Incident and Investigation
Responding officers were called to the Will County home after Barrett’s two siblings returned from school and discovered the child. A neighbor was performing CPR when police arrived, but Barrett was later pronounced dead.
Lindsay Clancy looks on as jurors enter the courtroom during Clancy's murder trial at the Plymouth County Superior Court in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on Sept. 4, 2026.
According to court records obtained by The Sun, Walsh told investigators she believed the child was the “devil” and the “anti-Christ.” During questioning, she reportedly began singing a version of the song "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" from The Wizard of Oz and launched into what detectives described as an unhinged rant.
Charges and Legal Response
Prosecutors have charged Walsh with three counts of first-degree murder. Her attorney, Andrea Lyon, said Walsh was "psychotic" and disputed that the case should be treated as first-degree murder. Lyon also rejected suggestions that Walsh’s interest in the high-profile Lindsay Clancy case was legally connected to the alleged killing.
Context and Ongoing Review
Investigators noted that Walsh had been following the Lindsay Clancy murder trial and had discussed the case in text messages with friends as recently as the morning investigators say Barrett was killed. Authorities continue to examine motive and possible mental-health factors as the case moves forward.
Note: The investigation is ongoing and the facts reported here are based on court documents and statements released by law enforcement. Charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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