Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s name has been in headlines and sparked widespread discussion, particularly following her release from prison in December 2023. Her story is a complex and tragic one, marked by years of abuse and a shocking crime that ultimately led to her incarceration. To understand why Gypsy Rose Blanchard was in prison, it’s essential to delve into the circumstances of her upbringing and the events that culminated in the death of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard.
At the heart of the matter is the severe abuse Gypsy Rose suffered at the hands of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. Dee Dee is believed to have had Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP), a psychological disorder where a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in someone under their care to gain attention and sympathy. From a young age, Gypsy Rose was presented to the world, and even to herself, as a child battling a multitude of serious illnesses.
Dee Dee Blanchard subjected Gypsy Rose to unnecessary medical treatments and procedures, convincing doctors and others that her daughter suffered from conditions like leukemia, muscular dystrophy, and epilepsy, none of which she actually had. Gypsy was forced to use a wheelchair and oxygen tank, despite being able to walk and breathe unaided. Dee Dee controlled every aspect of Gypsy’s life, isolating her and reinforcing the narrative of her daughter’s fragile health. This deception extended to shaving Gypsy’s head to mimic the appearance of chemotherapy patients and feeding her through a tube she didn’t need.
The extent of Dee Dee’s deception was profound and long-lasting. She moved with Gypsy after Hurricane Katrina and falsely claimed their medical records were lost, allowing her to continue the charade with new doctors in Missouri. The community rallied around the pair, offering charitable donations, gifts, and even a house built by Habitat for Humanity, all based on the false premise of Gypsy’s debilitating illnesses.
However, cracks began to appear in Dee Dee’s carefully constructed facade. Some doctors grew suspicious, noting inconsistencies in Gypsy’s symptoms and medical tests. One neurologist, Dr. Bernardo Flasterstein, questioned the muscular dystrophy diagnosis after seeing normal MRI and blood test results. Upon contacting doctors in Louisiana, he discovered that an original muscle biopsy for MS had come back negative. Despite these suspicions, Dee Dee Blanchard continued to manipulate the situation, often switching doctors or moving locations to avoid scrutiny.
As Gypsy Rose grew older, she became increasingly aware of her mother’s lies and the abuse she was enduring. Confined and controlled, she sought an escape. In an attempt to gain independence and freedom from her mother’s manipulation, Gypsy Rose began an online relationship with Nicholas Godejohn. This relationship became central to the tragic turn of events that led to her imprisonment.
Desperate to escape her abusive situation, Gypsy Rose and Nicholas Godejohn plotted to kill Dee Dee Blanchard. In 2015, Godejohn traveled to the Blanchard home in Springfield, Missouri. While Gypsy Rose hid in the bathroom, Godejohn stabbed Dee Dee to death. After the murder, Gypsy Rose and Godejohn fled to Wisconsin, where they were apprehended days later.
Both Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Nicholas Godejohn were arrested and charged in connection to Dee Dee Blanchard’s murder. Godejohn was ultimately convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Gypsy Rose, facing charges that could have resulted in a life sentence, made a crucial decision. Recognizing the years of abuse she had suffered, Greene County prosecutor Dan Patterson offered her a plea deal. Gypsy Rose pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
In 2016, Gypsy Rose Blanchard was sentenced to 10 years in prison for her role in her mother’s death. The court acknowledged the extraordinary circumstances of her case, recognizing her as a victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy and the profound abuse she had endured. This context was critical in understanding why she participated in the crime and in the resulting sentence she received. She was incarcerated at the Chillicothe Correctional Center in Chillicothe, Missouri.
Gypsy Rose served seven years of her 10-year sentence and was released on parole in December 2023, three years ahead of her original release date. Her case has continued to capture public attention, raising awareness about Munchausen syndrome by proxy and the complexities of abuse and its consequences.
Since her release, Gypsy Rose Blanchard has navigated life as a free woman, documenting aspects of her journey on social media and in a docuseries. She has expressed remorse for her actions and a desire to use her platform to advocate for awareness about Munchausen by proxy and mental health. In a recent TikTok video on Mother’s Day, she reflected on her complicated feelings towards her deceased mother, acknowledging the abuse while also recognizing Dee Dee as her mother and hoping she could find forgiveness.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s story is not just a crime story; it’s a story of survival, abuse, and the desperate measures taken under unimaginable circumstances. She was in prison because she played a role in her mother’s death. However, understanding why she made that choice requires acknowledging the years of systematic abuse and manipulation she suffered, making her case a deeply disturbing and thought-provoking one. Her release marks a new chapter, and the world watches to see how she continues to rebuild her life and advocate for change.
