‘I just wanted one’: Patrick Clancy recalls holding son Callan as he died

PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS: Patrick Clancy has revealed the heartbreaking final moments he spent with his 8-month-old son Callan, who died in his arms four days after being airlifted to Boston Children’s Hospital following the January 2023 attack that killed his three children.

During his emotional '60 Minutes' interview with CBS correspondent Ross Douthat on Sunday, September 20, Patrick recalled finding his older children, 5-year-old Cora and 3-year-old Dawson, at the family’s Duxbury home. He said he initially believed there was still a chance that Callan could survive.

Patrick Clancy recalls holding son Callan in his final moments

Patrick became emotional as he described Callan’s final moments during the interview.

“I said, ‘I’m so sorry.’ And I got to — I got to hold him. I got to lay down next to him. And he died in my arms,” Patrick said.

“I really thought there was a chance that Callan would live. And I — I remember just thinking, ‘Just gimme one. Just gimme one kid, and I would raise him as best I could, and I would give him the best life I possibly could. I’d tell him about his brother and sister,’” Patrick told Douthat.

Callan remained alive for four days after being airlifted to Boston Children’s Hospital. Patrick said he remains grateful for the time he was able to spend with his youngest child.

“I’m so grateful for those four days that I had with him. And I’m so grateful he hung on,” he said.

The interview marked his first joint television appearance with his new wife, Dr. Rachel Danis, following Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial, which ended in a mistrial on September 4 after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

Patrick had testified during the trial about the day he returned home in January 2023 and discovered what had happened to the children.

Lindsay Clancy’s trial ended without a verdict

Lindsay’s defense argued that she was experiencing severe postpartum psychosis when she killed the three children and should be found not criminally responsible.

Prosecutors argued that she knew the difference between right and wrong at the time of the killings.

The trial ended after one juror declined to find Lindsay not guilty by reason of insanity while the other 11 jurors supported that finding.

Patrick had supported his former wife during portions of the trial, describing how her mental health deteriorated after the birth of Callan and how she repeatedly sought medical help. 

The mistrial left prosecutors facing a decision over whether to pursue another trial.

Patrick Clancy says he ‘did the best’ he could

During the '60 Minutes' interview, Patrick was also asked whether he felt he had failed his family.

“I think I did the best I could with what I had at the time. And I live with the outcome. I live with it every day,” he said.

Patrick also spoke about the period after the deaths, saying the attention surrounding the tragedy eventually disappeared.

“Everything just came to a screeching halt,” he said.

He recalled driving past his children’s school and seeing their classmates being dropped off, an experience he said became too painful.

“And I was just– I just couldn’t be there anymore,” Patrick said.

Patrick also revealed that there was a period when he experienced self harming thoughts following the deaths.

“There was a time where I — I didn’t think I would live to see my 35th birthday. And I was completely fine with it,” he said.

Patrick and Rachel Danis are starting a family

Patrick has since remarried Dr. Rachel Danis, who also appeared alongside him during the interview.

Danis spoke about supporting Patrick as he continues to live with the loss of his children.

“I always — try to take some of the sh– weight from Pat. I always wanna strive to do that. I know I can’t fix– I can’t bring his kids back. But if I can honor them and allow Pat to grieve but also just continue to honor them in the present, it– I guess that’s all I can do,” she said.

The couple married in April and revealed during the interview that they are starting a family.

Patrick said he wants their future children to know about Cora, Dawson and Callan.

“I think every parent can agree, you have different relationships with your kids, but they’re all your kids. And I can’t wait to tell them about their brothers and sister,” he said.

Lindsay remains at Tewksbury State Hospital in Massachusetts while the future of her case remains unresolved.