Gypsy Rose Blanchard, the Missouri woman who convinced her online boyfriend to kill her abusive mother, has been released from prison on parole. Blanchard’s case gained national attention due to the revelation that her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, had subjected her to years of abuse, forcing her to pretend to suffer from various serious illnesses.
Blanchard was released early from the Chillicothe Correctional Center after serving 85% of her original sentence. The parole decision was confirmed by Karen Pojmann, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Corrections.
The bizarre and tragic story unfolded when it was discovered that Gypsy Rose Blanchard, now 32, was not actually suffering from the illnesses her mother claimed. Dee Dee Blanchard had Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder where caregivers seek attention and sympathy by exaggerating or making up illnesses in those they care for.
Gypsy Blanchard, perfectly healthy but deceived by her mother, endured years of abuse, including being forced to use a wheelchair and feeding tube. The mother-daughter duo received charitable donations, met celebrities, and even received a home from Habitat for Humanity, all based on the false narrative created by Dee Dee.
The abusive situation escalated, with Gypsy Blanchard experiencing physical abuse and being chained to a bed. Eventually, she began to realize the extent of the deception and wanted to break free from her mother’s control.
In 2015, Gypsy convinced her online boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, to kill her mother. Godejohn, who is serving a life sentence for the killing, had autism, and his defense argued that he was manipulated by Gypsy.
During Godejohn’s trial in 2018, Gypsy Blanchard testified, revealing the extent of the abuse she had suffered and her role in the murder. In exchange for pleading guilty to second-degree murder in 2016, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison, avoiding a potential life sentence for the initial first-degree murder charge.
Gypsy Blanchard’s case has been the subject of various media adaptations, including the HBO documentary “Mommy Dead and Dearest,” the Hulu miniseries “The Act,” and an upcoming Lifetime docuseries titled “The Prison Confession of Gypsy Rose Blanchard.”
While in prison, Gypsy Blanchard married Ryan Scott Anderson. Her upcoming account, “Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom,” is set for publication, providing insight into her experiences.
Despite the attention surrounding her release, no in-person coverage was allowed to protect Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s safety, security, and privacy.