Duxbury mother Lindsay Clancy’s husband says he forgives wife, accused of killing their three children

Patrick Clancy, whose wife is accused of killing the Duxbury couple’s three young children before attempting suicide, published a message on Friday describing the children, whom he considers “the essence of my life ‘ and urged people to forgive his wife ‘as I have.’

Lindsay Clancy, 32, is suspected of killing her 5-year-old daughter Cora and 3-year-old son Dawson and injuring her 7-month-old son Callan before trying to kill herself, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said. Officials announced that Callan died on Friday.

Lindsay Clancy faces murder and strangulation charges in connection with the deaths.

Patrick Clancy called police on Tuesday January 24 after returning to the couple’s Duxbury home and reporting an attempted suicide by his wife.

First responders found the three children unconscious and traumatized, Cruz said. Cora and Dawson Clancy were taken to a local hospital, where medics pronounced both children dead. The 8-month-old boy was flown to Children’s Hospital in Boston before he died on Friday.

On Saturday, Matthew Glaser, an extended family member who created a GoFundMe for the family, posted a message from Patrick Clancy lovingly describing the couple’s three children and admitting his wife had a “condition” that was going on had deteriorated over time and asked the public to forgive her as he had.

Patrick Clancy’s full statement:

“Thank you all for your love and support. The warmth I have received from the community is palpable and your generosity gives me hope that I can focus on some form of healing. I’ve seen all of your messages and posts, including some from people I haven’t seen in over a decade and many I’ve never met. I see and appreciate each of you.

Many people have said they can’t imagine it and they are right, there is absolutely nothing that can prepare you. The shock and pain is excruciating and unrelenting. I am constantly reminded of them and with the little sleep I get I keep dreaming about them. All parents know that it is impossible to understand how much you will love your children until you have them. The same goes for understanding the devastation of losing them. Cora, Dawson and Callan were the essence of my life and I am completely lost without them.

My family was the best thing that ever happened to me. I was so proud to be Lindsay’s husband and father to Cora, Dawson and Callan. I always remembered that every day with them was a new gift. Callan was usually the first to wake up and rested his head on my shoulder for a few minutes while he adjusted to the mornings. Dawson usually sang or spoke his thoughts out loud for a while before we got him. Cora was a big girl and just walked down the stairs. I can still vividly picture her walking into the living room every morning with her hair tousled and a smile on her face. We always started our days together by reading books, snuggling on the couch and playing with magnetic tiles. I loved taking her to places, whether it was scooting at Chandler Elementary, on vacation, skiing, on the boat, or to Duxbury Beach, one of our favorite places on earth. They gave me purpose and I never took it for granted. Where that purpose once was, there is now a vast void.

Cora had an infectious laugh and was stunningly beautiful. She was the cautious one, but that was really because she was so caring. She always said that she wanted to be a doctor and a mother when she grew up and she would practice by giving Callan exams. When she left the house to go somewhere, she would choose someone to look after her baby dolls, Caroline and Charlotte. She had all the doll supplies available so her babysitters were well stocked. Before she turned 2, she was already wrapping them in perfect swaddles. We’d tell her she’s such a “good little mom.” She loved all babies, real and fake. She loved sloths, unicorns, tea parties, went to lunch with nana and grandpa and gave presents to people. She knew everything about princesses, her favorite was Sofia the First. She really loved her brothers and us and often said so in her sweet voice. We did a lot of father-daughter activities together like skiing and visiting San Francisco or just talking. I loved her, my first born, so much.

Dawson had beautiful bold brown eyes that shone with friendship. He was naturally humorous and generous beyond the norm of a typical toddler, always willing to share his toys with others. For all the love he received, he always gave back more. His best quality was his sheer friendliness. He loved trucks, tractors, dinosaurs, Paw Patrol, worker guys and being outdoors. He was adventurous and mischievous, and enjoyed causing trouble, which he usually found hilarious. He was also remarkably smart. We’ve always said if we don’t save enough for retirement, that’s fine – we’re just staying at Dawson’s guest house. He hugged me tighter than most adults, and every night at bedtime he would say to me in resolute terms, “Goodnight, Dad, I love you.” We had a special bond from day one. He was my mate, my first boy and truly a gift.

Callan was our easygoing kid. I’ve always said it was because he was the third child – he had to adapt and he did it easily. He was born with no fuss and was by far our best sleeper. He was just an incredibly happy and lively baby who was always smiling. Our nickname for him was “Happy Callan”. Sitting alone, you could tell he was enjoying his growing independence as he would grab any object within reach. Sometimes he would join my Microsoft calls in the background and play in his Jumpy. I’d leave my camera on, too proud to turn it off. He started saying “Dada” whenever I entered the room. The last moment we had together was our routine. I came out of my office at the end of the day and swung him between my legs as he laughed and smiled. If I ever had a bad day, Callan always knew how to heal me. Maybe that’s why he held on a little longer—to spare me as much pain as possible. As excruciating as it was, I was happy and grateful to feel his warmth until his very last moment. Faith is my only hope to believe that he felt mine.

Callan died with tremendous courage despite being so small. Maybe it was his way of showing what I have to do to move forward. I will always try to be inspired by him. He will always be my little hero.

I want to share some thoughts about Lindsay. She has mostly been portrayed lately by people she never met and never knew who the real Lindsay was. Our marriage was wonderful and grew diametrically stronger as her condition rapidly deteriorated. I was just as proud to be her husband as I was to be a father and felt enduringly lucky to have her in my life. I still vividly remember the moment I first saw her and how blown away I was by the kind of love at first sight you only see in movies. It really didn’t take long before I was sure that I wanted to marry her. We said “I love you” several times a day as if it were a reflex. We used to start each morning with a passionate hug and let out a sigh of relief as if we’d both received the perfect medicine. If too much time went by without a hug, she would look at me and ask, “Have you forgotten?” We understood together that people can have bad days, but we stuck to the rule that if one of us got lost, the other was always there to take him home, always. She loved being a nurse, but nothing matched her intense love for our children and her dedication to being a mother. It was everything she ever wanted. Her passion taught me how to be a better father.

I want to ask you all to find it deep within you to forgive Lindsay as I have. The real Lindsay was generously loving and caring to everyone – me, our children, family, friends and her patients. The fibers of her soul are loving. All I wish for her now is that she finds some kind of peace.

I promise that I will put all my energies into healing and rediscovering my purpose. I owe it to all of you, the Duxbury Fire and Police, our compassionate healthcare workers, our local faith leaders, the Microsoft community and especially Cora, Dawson and Callan. I don’t know how or when I’ll make it, but your love and generosity will help me get started. I know that love always wins.

Cora, Dawson and Callan, you have given me so much in your short time here. I don’t know if the pain will ever go away, but I will do my best to carry on in your honor. Dada loves you so much and will always remember you.

With love and infinite gratitude.”