Lindsay Clancy: Is She Our Present-Day Medea?
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I think back to August 1980. I had a newborn baby, and at almost the same time, new mother Lindy Chamberlain accused a dingo of taking her baby from a tent in the Australian Outback. Later, she was found guilty of murdering her 9-week-old baby daughter, Azaria. This case was replete with conspiracy stories. Was she shielding her son and her husband? Did Azaria’s name mean sacrifice?
As a new first-time mom, I wanted to blame Lindy. I was high on post-birth hormones. It wasn't only about Azaria; it was about protecting my baby. I truly wanted revenge. I wanted her to rot in jail.
She did go to jail. Years later, her conviction was overturned, and she was ultimately exonerated.
Lindy Chamberlain’s name lives on in Australian folklore. An echo of this infamous Australian case is being replayed in the U.S. at this moment. I have taken the opportunity to think about how I responded to Lindy 46 years ago and how I think about Lindsay now.
Fast-forward to September 2026
The U.S. is in a frenzy.
Lindsay Clancy’s name is on everybody’s lips. She is on trial in Massachusetts on charges related to the deaths of her children, Cora (5), Dawson (3), and Callan (8 months), in January 2023. All the social media sites are clogged up with opinions, conspiracy........
