A hospital chaplain testified Thursday, August 20, that Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts mother accused of murdering her three children, told her she was “so glad my children are safe” and alluded to hearing a persistent male voice that commanded her to kill them.
Sheila Cavanaugh, a board-certified chaplain at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, was the only witness on Day 17 of the closely watched murder trial. She testified that she met with Clancy more than 200 times after the tragic incident.
She testified that her first meeting was when Lindsay was intubated and unable to speak after being paralysed from a suicide attempt. On January 31, 2023, after the breathing tube was removed, Clancy told her: “I am so glad my children are safe.”
She said: “I replied theologically to Lindsay; I said, Lindsay, your children are safe. They’re safe in heaven with God.”
The chaplain continued by stating that Clancy “made mention of having heard a voice,” which she perceived as a constant and masculine one. According to Cavanaugh, the voice informed Clancy that “unless she did what she was commanded to do, herself and her children wouldn’t be safe.”
Prosecutors during the cross-examination pointed out that Cavanaugh had made meticulous notes on her visits with Clancy, but nothing in her notes mentioned anything about Clancy having heard voices.
Judge William Sullivan dismissed jurors earlier on Thursday as he stated Friday would be a longer day. The closing arguments are scheduled to occur either Monday or Tuesday.
Several hundred women wearing pink clothing assembled at the courthouse in support of Clancy.
2026-08-20 23:18:00
