Lindsay Clancy’s former mother-in-law was called to testify by the defense on Tuesday, in the fourth week of her murder trial.

Clancy was “begging for help” in the months leading up to killing her three children and attempting to end her own life, said Susan Clancy, mother of Patrick Clancy. “Lindsay was struggling — we were all concerned.”

Susan Clancy, who like her daughter-in-law was a labor and delivery nurse, told jurors in the Plymouth Superior Court that she and Lindsay were close, calling her a “wonderful mother” who was “very nurturing, very loving.”

Susan Clancy said that Lindsay was transparent about her struggles and would ask for her mother-in-law's support.

Texts between Lindsay and Susan Clancy in which Lindsay spoke about fears that she had developed a dependence on benzodiazepines, but couldn't sleep without taking them were shown to the jury.

“I'm not okay and I'm terrified of taking meds tonight,” Lindsay texted her mother-in-law on Nov. 30, 2022, two months before the killings.

Susan Clancy’s testimony echoed emotional accounts the day before from Lindsay’s mother and sister, who recounted for jurors how they saw her become increasingly anxious, paranoid and suicidal starting in the fall of 2022.

The trial centers not on whether Lindsay Clancy killed her children, which her lawyers do not dispute, but on her state of mind at the time. The defense argues she should not be held criminally responsible because she was suffering from postpartum psychosis, while prosecutors say she planned the killings and understood what she was doing.

Lindsay Clancy’s ex-husband found their children after they had been strangled in the family basement in January 2023

Lindsay Clancy also attempted to take her own life that night, and was left paralyzed. Lindsay and Patrick Clancy are now divorced.

If convicted of murder, Lindsay Clancy faces life in prison without parole. If found not guilty because of a lack of criminal responsibility, she would be committed to a state mental health facility.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI) or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

*If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. *

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