Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2016 for her involvement in her mother’s murder, is scheduled for release on December 28. The case, which gained widespread attention due to its complex nature and a startling Facebook post leading to the discovery of her mother’s body, unfolded in their Missouri home.
Blanchard, then 23, and her boyfriend, Nick Godejohn, were found and arrested less than 600 miles from the crime scene. She pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. This case was later dramatized in the 2019 Hulu miniseries, “The Act.”
Upon her release, Blanchard, now 32, has expressed a desire to meet singer Taylor Swift, citing Swift’s song “Eyes Open” as a source of strength during her ordeal. She also plans to attend a Kansas City Chiefs game on New Year’s Eve. An ebook titled “Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom” about her experiences is set for release on January 9.
The case revealed a history of alleged abuse by her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, who claimed Gypsy suffered from various medical conditions. Their story, often shared on social media, depicted a caring mother-daughter relationship. However, a June 2015 Facebook post on their shared account starkly contrasted this image, alarming friends and leading to police intervention.
After her arrest, it was revealed that Gypsy was not wheelchair-bound as previously believed. Investigators suggested Dee Dee may have been influenced by financial gain, as they had received donations and a house from Habitat for Humanity over the years. Godejohn, who admitted to stabbing Dee Dee at Gypsy’s request, was sentenced to life in prison.
The case also brought attention to Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a disorder where a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in another person, typically for attention or sympathy. Reports indicated that Gypsy was forced to pretend to have numerous physical and mental disabilities.t Gypsy was forced to pretend to have numerous physical and mental disabilities.
