Gypsy Rose Blanchard is an individual who gained public attention due to her involvement in a criminal case. Born in 1991, she became known for the murder of her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, in 2015. The case drew widespread interest because of the complex and unusual circumstances surrounding it.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard, known for her involvement in a notorious plot to harm her mother, is anticipated to be released from prison on Thursday after serving more than seven years.
The now-32-year-old, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, received a 10-year prison sentence in July 2016 after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the death of her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard. Gypsy’s ex-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, is serving a life sentence for fatally stabbing Dee Dee.
For those unfamiliar with the case that inspired the Hulu series “The Act,” some experts suggest that Gypsy Rose may have been a victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. This condition involves a parent or caretaker exaggerating or fabricating symptoms to make it appear as if their child is sick.
In her childhood, Gypsy was made to use a wheelchair and undergo unnecessary medical procedures. Dee Dee started giving Gypsy false medical diagnoses shortly after she was born in 1991, initially claiming the baby had sleep apnea, according to lawyers.
At the age of 8, Gypsy’s mom, Dee Dee, began saying she had serious illnesses like leukemia and muscular dystrophy. As a result, Gypsy had to use a wheelchair and a feeding tube.
In 2005, they moved from Louisiana to Missouri. Dee Dee claimed they were victims of Hurricane Katrina and said Gypsy’s medical records were lost in the storm.
Gypsy and Dee Dee received generous support, including free charity trips and substantial amounts of money. Habitat for Humanity built them a house in Springfield, Missouri, equipped with features like a wheelchair ramp for Gypsy’s convenience.
In June 2015, when Gypsy was 23, prosecutors claim she arranged for Nicholas Godejohn, whom she met on a Christian dating site, to come to Springfield and harm her mother.Gypsy mentioned that Godejohn went to Dee Dee’s house, and she provided him with gloves, a knife, and duct tape. While Gypsy hid in the bathroom, prosecutors claimed Godejohn entered Dee Dee’s bedroom and stabbed her 17 times. Following the murder, Gypsy and Godejohn fled to his home in Wisconsin, where they were apprehended a few days later.
Gypsy avoided a trial by accepting a plea deal, but she testified during Godejohn’s trial. She explained that it was her idea to harm her mother, and she kept her relationship with Godejohn a secret because her mom controlled every aspect of her life.She mentioned discovering she wasn’t sick at 19 but learned the full extent of her health only after her arrest.
In the trial, Godejohn’s defense argued that he killed Dee Dee to protect Gypsy from abuse. They also stated that he was “blindly in love” with Gypsy.
The Missouri Department of Corrections has confirmed Gypsy’s early release on December 28, as she served 85% of her 10-year sentence. Additionally, she is scheduled to publish an ebook titled “Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom” on January 9, 2024.
Gypsy Blanchard shared that her mom kept her feeling weak, isolated, and dependent on her. Growing older, her mom’s control increased.
“She physically chained me to the bed and put bells on the doors. She told anyone I might trust that I was just going through a phase and to let her know if I was doing anything behind her back.”
NewsNation’s Caitlyn Shelton contributed to this story