It’s a detail so painfully ordinary it feels impossible—right before everything went horrifically wrong, Lindsay Clancy texted her husband about dinner.
On the afternoon of January 24, 2023, the Massachusetts mom allegedly sent a series of casual messages to Patrick Clancy, asking about takeout from a local restaurant. According to court testimony, the exchange started around 4:53 p. m.
, just over an hour before she is accused of strangling their three children—Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and 8-month-old Callan.
“Any chance you want to do take out from ThreeV,” Lindsay texted. “I didn’t cook anything. It’s been a long day.”
Patrick replied yes. She responded, “Okie doke. Check the menu when you can.”
He asked what she wanted and if baby Callan had woken up. She said it was just a short nap. By 5:07 p.
m. , they had their orders settled: a Mediterranean power bowl for her, scallops and pork belly risotto for him.
Patrick told investigators he ran to CVS for medicine for their daughter, then picked up the food. He returned home just after 6 p. m.
to an unthinkable scene—Cora and Dawson were found lifeless, Callan barely alive. He first saw Lindsay lying on her back in the yard after she had jumped from a second-story window, injuring herself, according to testimony.
The conversation about takeout was read in court by State Trooper Timothy Chiappini, who analyzed Lindsay’s cellphone. Earlier that day, she had texted Patrick about Cora’s physical therapy appointment, writing, “Her urine looked good so nothing going wrong with her kidneys, phew.” He replied, “Oh wow.
You’re a good momma.”
Lindsay Clancy’s defense argues she was suffering from severe postpartum psychosis and heard voices telling her to harm the children. Prosecutors claim she planned the killings because she wanted a break from parenting. Jurors have heard about disturbing Google searches in the days before, including “can you treat a sociopath?”
and “how to slit your throat to die.”
A private note from November 2022 revealed Lindsay had wanted a fourth child. The trial has now completed its third week, with the jury set to return Monday. As the courtroom reels from the weight of those final, ordinary texts, one question lingers: how do such everyday words lead to such a devastating end?
