Background
Gypsy Rose Blanchard, now 32, was released from a Missouri prison on December 28, 2023 after serving 7 years for her role in her mother Dee Dee Blanchard’s murder in 2015.
Dee Dee had subjected Gypsy to years of medical child abuse, falsely claiming Gypsy was disabled and seriously ill in order to gain sympathy and charitable donations. Gypsy eventually began online relationships, including with her boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn, who she convinced to stab Dee Dee to death in 2015 when Gypsy was 23 years old.
Gypsy pled guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2016. With credit for time served and good behavior, Gypsy was eligible for parole after serving 85% of her sentence.
Release From Prison
On the morning of December 28th, 2023, Gypsy Blanchard walked out of the Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri. Her husband, Ryan Scott Anderson, picked her up to drive her to a welcome home party organized by family.
Gypsy appeared overjoyed to be free, smiling widely in photos. For her first meal, she enjoyed a burger, fries and soda from Burger King.
That evening, Gypsy posted her first Instagram selfie showing off her new short haircut and tattoos with the caption “Thank you for all the kind comments, and well wishes! I’m trying to respond back to everyone but anxiety wanting to puke I appreciate it!”
Life After Prison
Gypsy’s stepmother Kristy Blanchard has said Gypsy plans to move to an undisclosed location and start a new life away from Missouri due to safety concerns. Authorities recommended she not remain in the state.
There is speculation Gypsy hopes to rebuild relationships with estranged relatives and advocate for victims of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. However, she posted on social media warning she does not have any public social media profiles at this time.
One dream Gypsy did have was to attend this weekend’s NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders near her hometown to potentially meet her idol Taylor Swift. But ultimately Gypsy decided not to go due to security issues.
Meanwhile, Nicholas Godejohn, Gypsy’s ex-boyfriend who carried out the murder, remains in prison serving a life sentence without parole.
Looking Ahead
It remains unclear what the future may hold for Gypsy Rose Blanchard. In her first interviews, she expressed regret over her mother’s murder despite years of alleged abuse.
Some also wonder if Gypsy was manipulated by others or could still pose a danger. But for now, Gypsy seems focused on getting back on her feet, reconnecting with loved ones, and adjusting to normal life again.
Dee Dee’s Abuse And Gypsy’s Desperation
Dee Dee Blanchard, Gypsy’s mother, claimed Gypsy suffered from leukemia, muscular dystrophy, and other ailments since birth, gaining sympathy from charities and the community.
But it was all a fraud. Gypsy now says she realizes her mother had Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a disorder where someone falsely claims another person is ill to gain attention and sympathy. Gypsy was healthy, but forced to use a wheelchair and feeding tube in public.
Behind closed doors, Dee Dee was abusive toward Gypsy when she tried independence. Gypsy was homeschooled and isolated, with Dee Dee controlling all food, relationships and communication.
By age 19, Gypsy grew desperate, using secret online profiles to escape her loneliness. This led her to start a relationship with Nicholas Godejohn.
| Year | Gypsy’s Age | Key Life Events |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Birth | Gypsy born in Missouri to Dee Dee Blanchard |
| 2009 | 17 years old | Tries to run away from home during movie, but Dee Dee catches her |
| 2012 | 20 years old | Opens secret Facebook account to meet men online |
| 2012 | 21 years old | Meets Nicholas Godejohn online, begins online relationship |
| 2015 | 23 years old | Convinces Godejohn to come murder her mother |
| 2016 | 24 years old | Pleads guilty, sentenced to 10 years in prison |
| 2023 | 32 years old | Released on parole after serving 85% of sentence |
Fateful Decision And Murder
In 2015, a then 23-year old Gypsy made the fateful decision to have her boyfriend murder her mother Dee Dee while they were temporarily living in Wisconsin.
On June 14, 2015, Gypsy allowed Godejohn into her home late at night. He then stabbed Dee Dee Blanchard to death in her sleep.
Gypsy and Godejohn attempted to flee to his home state of Wisconsin, but were quickly apprehended. Gypsy confessed, saying she talked Godejohn into killing her mother so they could be together.
polarizing case
The case and subsequent TV dramatizations sparked sympathy both for gypsy as a victim of lifetime abuse as well as anger at the brutal murder she planned.
Experts say Gypsy experienced extreme trauma and has shown progress in counseling and coming to terms with what she did behind bars. However, some close to the case still feel Gypsy manipulated events for her own gain, and may still be dangerous.
Gypsy’s time in prison provided perspective. She told local Springfield TV station KY3 in a statement:
“I believe it’s better to come clean and admit the crime. If you don’t admit it then you can’t really get the help you need. I have counseling sessions with a psychiatrist to help me cope with everything that happened. It’s nice to talk to someone who listens and will talk you through things.”
The pain inflicted in this case has caused divides among Dee Dee’s own family. Her nephew Bobby speaks to Gypsy but her mother and sister want no contact. These issues may still need to be worked through.
Looking Deeper
While the murder shook the community, it also highlighted the desperate lengths Gypsy felt pushed to in order to escape her abusive living conditions.
Advocates say her case brings vital attention to two key issues:
Munchausen syndrome by proxy: When caretakers falsely claim those under their care have medical issues to gain sympathy and attention from others. Warning signs include the victim/patient getting worse with treatments rather than better.
Coercive control: Abusers isolating victims from family/friends, depriving them of food/sleep, controlling outside information. This creates a warped reality so victims feel they have no options.
There are still many unanswered questions about if authorities missed chances to intervene sooner. Going forward, more awareness of these issues could help other vulnerable young people avoid similar desperation.
While Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s release marks a pivotal turn in this ongoing tragic case, the full fallout from decades of manipulation and abuse is still unfolding. Both supporters and detractors wait to see if Gypsy will bring more light or darkness in this next complex chapter of her life outside bars.
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