In a 60 Minutes interview, Patrick Clancy described the intense grief after the deaths of his three children—Cora (5), Dawson (3) and Callan (8 months)—saying he once didn't expect to live to 35. He moved from Duxbury to New York City to seek privacy and later married Dr. Rachel Danis. Patrick returned to testify at Lindsay Clancy's trial and suffered a panic attack before the 911 call was played in court. Lindsay pleaded not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility; the trial ended in a mistrial on September 4.
Patrick Clancy Says He Once Didn’t Expect to Live Past 35 After Losing His Three Children
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Patrick Clancy opened up about the depth of his grief following the January 2023 deaths of his three children in a candid 60 Minutes interview with Ross Douthat that aired Sunday, September 20.
On contemplating suicide:
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"Yeah, there was a time where I — I didn't think I would live to see my 35th birthday. And I was completely fine with it."
Patrick, now 38, described how empty his life felt after the deaths of his children—Cora (5), Dawson (3) and Callan (8 months). He recalled driving past their school and being overwhelmed watching other children arrive for drop-off. "I was just — I couldn't be there anymore," he said.
Seeking privacy and healing: To find anonymity and space to grieve, Patrick left Duxbury, Massachusetts, and moved to New York City. "This is where I need to be. I can grieve," he told Douthat. In New York he met fertility doctor Dr. Rachel Danis, 37, through a running club in January 2024. The couple later divorced Lindsay Clancy and married in April 2026.
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Courtroom trauma: Patrick returned to Massachusetts in July to testify as the prosecution's first witness at Lindsay Clancy's trial. He revealed his testimony was interrupted when he experienced a severe traumatic panic attack just before the court played the 911 call from the night the children were found. He described his heart "pounding" and being taken to an ambulance outside the courthouse; he declined medication so he could return and finish testifying.
How he’s coping: When asked whether he felt he had failed, Patrick said he has had to accept the decisions he made at the time. "I think I did the best I could with what I had at the time. And I live with the outcome. I live with it every day," he said. During the interview, Patrick and Rachel confirmed they are planning to start a family together and that any future children will grow up knowing about Cora, Dawson and Callan.
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Legal status: Lindsay Clancy, 36, has admitted to killing the children but pleaded not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility. Her attorneys argued she was suffering from postpartum psychosis. The trial ended in a mistrial on September 4 after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
Support resources: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
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