Corie A. Walsh, a 40-year-old suburban Illinois mother who had recently become invested in the trial of Lindsay Clancy, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder on Friday, according to police and court records. Frankfort police and prosecutors stated that Walsh allegedly killed her 2-year-old son, Barrett Walsh, before attempting to take her own life at their home in Frankfort, Illinois, about 35 miles southwest of Chicago.
Details of the Frankfort Investigation and Autopsy Findings
Frankfort police responded to the family home just after 4 p.m. Tuesday following a report of an unresponsive child, authorities said. Upon arrival, officers found a neighbor performing CPR on 2-year-old Barrett Walsh, who had been found hanging in the basement, according to court documents. Prosecutors stated that the neighbor discovered the toddler, took him down, and called 911, though the child was already cold and without a pulse. Emergency responders transported him to a local hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. The Will County Coroner’s Office subsequently ruled the death an apparent homicide. Preliminary autopsy findings revealed the toddler died from asphyxia due to ligature compression of the neck, according to the court petition.
When officers searched the upstairs master bedroom, they discovered Corie Walsh lying fully dressed in a bathtub surrounded by bloody water with cuts on her wrists and thighs, prosecutors said. Police noted she sustained non-life-threatening injuries and received hospital treatment before her scheduled transfer to the Will County Adult Detention Facility. According to the court filing, Walsh told officers she harmed her baby because he was the “devil” and the “anti-Christ.” Once hospitalized, she also described the manner of the killing to officers in a way that matched evidence found at the scene.
Did You Know? Before the tragedy, Corie Walsh had been actively discussing the Lindsay Clancy murder trial in group text messages with friends up until 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, just three and a half hours before police discovered the scene at her home while the jury in the Clancy trial was deliberating.
Intervention by Neighbor and Status of Other Children
A neighbor’s intervention prevented further self-harm and alerted authorities to the emergency inside the residence. Court documents state that the neighbor found Walsh holding a knife and actively harming herself. The neighbor took the knife away, threw it into the sink—where officers later recovered it as evidence—and asked Walsh why she was doing that. Walsh responded that she was trying to kill herself and told the neighbor that “Bear,” the nickname for 2-year-old Barrett, was in the basement, according to the petition.
While Walsh’s husband was out of town at the time of the incident, three other children were at the residence. Prosecutors stated that an infant was home and remained unharmed, while two school-aged children returned home around the time authorities discovered Barrett. Those two children were also physically unharmed. However, prosecutors noted in the court filing that Walsh made statements indicating an intent to harm her other children and her husband upon his return. Frankfort police described the case as a heartbreaking tragedy, asking the community to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges does Corie A. Walsh face?
Walsh was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, according to announcements made by police on Friday.
Where did the incident occur?
The incident took place in Frankfort, Illinois, an affluent village located about 35 miles southwest of Chicago.
What were the preliminary autopsy findings for the child?
According to the court petition, the Will County Coroner’s Office ruled the death an apparent homicide, with preliminary autopsy findings indicating the toddler died from asphyxia due to ligature compression of the neck.
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