Patrick Clancy Says Lindsay Described Killing Their Three Children As ‘Like A Dream’ — He Says He Forgave Her

Patrick Clancy has spoken publicly for the first time since the mistrial in his ex-wife Lindsay Clancy’s case, telling CBS’ 60 Minutes that when he asked Lindsay whether she remembered killing their three children, she replied it felt "like a dream." The interview, which aired Sept. 20, revisited the tragic January 2023 deaths that shocked the Plymouth, Mass., community.

Jurors declared a mistrial on Sept. 4 after they could not reach a unanimous verdict on whether Lindsay was criminally responsible for the deaths of the couple’s children — Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and 8-month-old Callan. The five-week trial heard competing accounts from the defense and prosecution about Lindsay’s mental state.

What Patrick Said

Speaking with the 60 Minutes correspondent, Patrick described his initial conversation with Lindsay after the killings took place. He said he asked if she remembered what had happened. According to Patrick, Lindsay replied:

"It was like a dream and she remembered much in the way you would remember a dream after waking up."

When asked whether he felt he had failed, Patrick told the program, "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 also said Lindsay never asked him for forgiveness; he added that he forgave her.

Lindsay Clancy; The children of Lindsay Clancy and Patrick Clancy: Cora, Dawson and Callan.Credit: Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool; The Heard Foundation/Instagram

Trial Details

Patrick — who has since remarried — testified during the trial in Plymouth and described what he found when he returned home on Jan. 24, 2023: the three children had been killed with exercise bands and Lindsay had attempted suicide by jumping from a second-story window.

The defense did not dispute that Lindsay caused the deaths. They argued she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and should be found not criminally responsible, saying her condition was worsened by psychiatric medications prescribed while she was being treated for postpartum depression after the birth of her third child. Prosecutors, by contrast, sought to show that Lindsay acted deliberately and understood the difference between right and wrong when she sent Patrick out on errands before the killings.

Authorities have not announced whether prosecutors will seek a retrial. Lindsay remains under psychiatric care at a state hospital and reportedly is on suicide watch.

Context and Sensitivity

This remains an emotionally charged and legally complex case involving infant and child death, serious questions about maternal mental health, and the criminal justice system’s handling of severe psychiatric conditions. Reporting has tried to reflect both the facts presented at trial and the perspectives offered by defense and prosecution.