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Corie Walsh, 40, was charged with three counts of first-degree
murder after her son, Barrett, was found dead in the basement of
the family’s suburban Chicago home on Sept. 1, according to
court records obtained by NBC Chicago.
Prosecutors said Walsh had become “very invested” in Clancy’s
nationally watched trial and was discussing it with friends
until about 12:30 p.m. that day. A neighbor found Barrett less
than four hours later.
Walsh was found elsewhere in the home with injuries authorities
said were self-inflicted. Prosecutors said she later told
investigators that she killed her son because she believed he
was the “devil” and the “anti-Christ.” Her attorney, Andrea
Lyon, told reporters Walsh was experiencing a psychotic episode
and called the boy’s death a tragedy for the entire family.
Police were called to Walsh’s home in Frankfort, about 35 miles
(56.33 kilometers) southwest of Chicago, shortly before 4 p.m.
after a neighbor discovered Barrett in the basement, according
to prosecutors’ petition seeking to keep Walsh jailed before
trial.
The neighbor found the boy and began CPR while calling 911,
prosecutors said. He was taken to a hospital, where he was
pronounced dead. An autopsy determined that he died from
asphyxia caused by ligature compression of the neck.
Police searching the house found Walsh fully dressed in a
bathtub containing bloody water, prosecutors said. She had cuts
to her wrists and thighs and was taken to a hospital with
injuries authorities described as not life-threatening.
The disclosure that Walsh had been following Clancy’s trial came
days after a Massachusetts judge declared a mistrial in that
case when jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Clancy, a former labor and delivery nurse, was accused of
killing her three young children in 2023. Her lawyers argued
that she was legally insane and suffering from postpartum
psychosis. Prosecutors maintained that Clancy understood what
she was doing and knew it was wrong.
Authorities in Illinois have not alleged that Clancy’s trial
played a role in the killing of Walsh’s son, and no evidence
made public so far establishes a connection beyond her
discussion of the case.
Frankfort Police and prosecutors in Will County did not respond
to calls for comment on Monday.
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