Illinois mom, Lindsay Clancy supporter, allegedly kills 2-year-old son Barrett Walsh by hanging him in the basement

Two-year-old Barrett “Bear” Walsh, who passed away recently in Frankfort, Illinois, is remembered by his family as a very happy and loving child, full of songs, games, and being with his brothers and sisters.

A newly published obituary, cited by NY Post, describes Barrett as a “joyful, funny, entertaining, rambunctious 2-year-old” who loved singing and dancing to Super Simple Songs and Miss Rachel. He also enjoyed “learning his colors with Pingfong and Hogi, kicking a soccer ball with his friends and counting out loud to 5 Little Duckies.”

Barrett was born in March 2024 and was just 2 when he died on September 1. His death has since become the centre of a criminal case against his mother, Corie Walsh.

What happened to Barrett Walsh?

Barrett was found hanging in the basement of the family's Frankfort home. His two elder siblings found him in the basement and alerted a 17-year-old about the incident.

The neighbour called 911 and attempted CPR after finding Barrett hanging from a device attached to a basement rafter. The boy was reportedly cold and had no pulse. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy determined that he died from “asphyxia due to ligature compression of the neck.”

Mother Corie Walsh, 40, is facing three charges of first-degree murder. According to the prosecutors, she reportedly said to the investigators that she thought Barrett was the “devil” and “anti-Christ.”

At the crime scene, she was reportedly discovered soaking in a bathtub of bloody water since she had cut her wrists and thighs using a knife.

Barrett was described as a “cherished little brother” to Grady and Anna and a “caring big brother” to his baby brother.

“He loved animals, bedtime stories, doing the good-bye dance with joyous perfection, feeding Oscar too many treats and really enjoyed playing his favorite game Ready, Set, Go with Grady and Anna,” the obituary says.

Why Lindsay Clancy's name appears in the case

What made this case even more interesting is that the prosecutors claim Walsh became "very invested" in the case of Massachusetts mother Lindsay Clancy, who was suspected of murdering her three children. Walsh was reportedly talking to her friends about the Clancy case via text messaging until about three and a half hours prior to discovering Barrett's body. The Clancy case ended up being a mistrial on September 4.

However, Walsh's attorneys have rejected descriptions of the case as a Clancy “copycat” killing. Her lawyers have argued that she experienced a severe psychotic episode and said she required psychiatric treatment. The defense position remains an allegation, not a judicial finding.

A judge ordered Walsh to remain in custody after a September 8 hearing. She is scheduled to appear again in Will County court on September 24.