The Lindsay Clancy murder trial has brought fresh attention to her former husband, Patrick Clancy, as people online question his actions before the deaths of their three children. Friends and relatives have now spoken out against what they describe as baseless claims about the grieving father. Clancy has not been accused of wrongdoing by prosecutors. He testified during the trial and became emotional while recalling the events of January 2023. Lindsay Clancy, 36, is accused of killing their children, Cora, Dawson and Callan, at their Duxbury, Massachusetts, home. She has pleaded not guilty and is arguing that severe mental illness left her not criminally responsible.
Why is Patrick Clancy facing online scrutiny during the Lindsay Clancy trial?
Patrick Clancy, 39, has faced growing criticism online while Lindsay Clancy’s trial continues in Plymouth Superior Court. Some posts have questioned why he left Lindsay alone with the children and whether he should have recognised how serious her mental health problems had become.
People close to Patrick strongly reject those claims. A relative told the Daily Mail that the rumours have been painful for the family.
Deep Dive
Why is Patrick Clancy being scrutinized during Lindsay Clancy's trial?
What steps is Patrick Clancy taking to support mental health after the tragedy?
How has Lindsay Clancy's defense approached the case during her trial?
“The things that are going around right now are heinous. It has been really upsetting and damaging,” the relative said.
The family member added: “Pat has always been the nicest, most supportive person ever. He loved his family, he loved his wife, and he did everything he could to support her, and this is just a really sad story.”
{{/usCountry}}The family member added: “Pat has always been the nicest, most supportive person ever. He loved his family, he loved his wife, and he did everything he could to support her, and this is just a really sad story.”
{{/usCountry}}Patrick has not been accused by prosecutors of taking part in the killings. During his testimony, he described Lindsay as a loving mother before her mental health deteriorated. WBUR previously reported that Patrick also made the 911 call after discovering his children and Lindsay at the family home.
What happened to Patrick Clancy and his new wife Rachel Danis after the killings?
Patrick’s personal life after the tragedy has also become a focus of online discussion. He later married Dr Rachel Danis, and people on social media have criticised the relationship and questioned how he has tried to rebuild his life.
Friends and relatives say those reactions ignore the grief he has carried since losing his children.
Rachel has also faced online harassment, including death threats and the sharing of personal information, according to the Daily Mail. A colleague described the situation simply: “It’s been tough. She’s hanging in there.”
Patrick moved from the Boston area to New York after the killings. He and Rachel later married in April 2026. Their relationship has become part of the online debate, but there is no evidence that his decision to rebuild his life proves anything about his involvement in the deaths.
What is Patrick Clancy’s Heard Foundation doing for mental health?
Patrick has also put much of his time into remembering his three children and supporting families dealing with mental health problems after childbirth.
He co-founded the Heard Foundation in 2024 with his sisters. The organization says its work focuses on improving perinatal mental-health care and helping families affected by these conditions. Its website identifies Patrick as a co-founder and says the foundation was created after the deaths of Cora, Dawson and Callan.
The organization has also helped honour the children in their hometown. In 2025, a playground named after the Clancy children opened in Duxbury, with the project organised through the foundation.
The trial now centres on Lindsay’s mental state at the time of the killings. Her defence says she suffered from postpartum psychosis and other serious mental health problems. Prosecutors dispute that explanation and argue that she should be held criminally responsible. Recent testimony has continued to examine her treatment, symptoms and behaviour before the deaths.