Community joins in support of family, first responders in Duxbury

DUXBURY, Mass. (WLNE) — Hundreds gathered at a church in Duxbury to honor two children who police said died after being strangled to death.

Not many words were said at Thursday night’s vigil, but many hugs and support were shared for the family and first responders were impacted.

Earlier this week, a family tragedy in Duxbury left a community confused and concerned after Lindsay Clancy strangled and killed her 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.

Many are still wondering why Clancy strangled her children, including her 8-month-old child who is still in the hospital.

“I think it’s just trying to understand how post-partum depression — PPD can impact different people in different ways and trying to figure out resources and outlets to deal with that,” said a vigil attendee. “It’s just unimaginable what happened.”

However, Thursday night was a time for comfort for dozens of community members and first responders inside Holy Family Church.

“It was nice, quiet and peaceful, just a beautiful ceremony,” said Debbie Heath.

“Some people say those first responders know how to process things like this, they don’t. They’re human just like everybody else,” she added.

One of them was Heath’s son, a Duxbury firefighter.

“Yeah, he was one of the first ones there. It’s still bothering him today, he’s had little breakdowns here and there but hopefully day by day it will get better and better,” she said.

Heath said the Duxbury and surrounding departments have been providing counseling and guidance for all who responded to the tragedy.

Flowers and stuffed teddy bears continued to fill the makeshift memorial outside of the Clancy home.

Authorities would not comment on whether any mental illness may have played a role in the homicides or if there was any mental health history.