During the trial of Lindsay Clancy, who faces charges in the death of her three children, jurors heard testimony from her mother, Paula Musgrove, detailing Clancy’s struggles with mental health issues following the birth of her youngest child. Musgrove described signs of post-partum anxiety and depression emerging in late 2022, including an October message in which Clancy expressed severe distress and asked her mother to stay with her.

Musgrove testified that she remained with Clancy for about a week after receiving the text, during which time she observed her daughter’s mental state decline. On New Year’s Eve 2022, Clancy voluntarily admitted herself to McLean Hospital for a five-day stay. Despite this intervention and subsequent medical treatment including more than a dozen prescribed medications, Musgrove said Clancy’s condition worsened, featuring symptoms of paranoia and fear of being alone. According to the testimony, Clancy later attempted suicide and is now paralyzed from the waist down.

Throughout her testimony, Musgrove portrayed her daughter as a devoted mother who sought recovery and wished to be able to care for her children. Prosecutors contend that the killings were deliberate and motivated by Clancy’s intent to end both her own life and those of her children. The defense is pursuing an insanity plea, maintaining that Clancy suffered from post-partum psychosis that compelled her to act on auditory hallucinations urging her to kill.

Musgrove frequently became emotional during the proceedings, often wiping away tears as she recounted efforts to support Clancy, including numerous medical appointments and adjustments to her treatment regimen. On cross-examination, prosecutors highlighted text messages in which Clancy appeared to report feeling better, but Musgrove continued to express deep concern over her daughter’s mental health throughout the period in question.