Gypsy Rose Blanchard is speaking out for the first time since being released from prison last month. Blanchard had served seven years for her role in her mother’s murder in 2015.
Background on the Gypsy Blanchard Case
Gypsy Rose Blanchard made national headlines in 2015 when she pled guilty to second-degree murder for her role in the stabbing death of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. Dee Dee had forced Gypsy to pretend to be ill and disabled for years in a case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
Gypsy began secretly communicating online with Nicholas Godejohn, a man she met on a Christian dating site. They devised a plan to kill Dee Dee so Gypsy could escape her control. In June 2015, Godejohn traveled from his home in Wisconsin to the Blanchard’s house in Missouri and stabbed Dee Dee to death while Gypsy hid in the bathroom.
Key Events in the Gypsy Blanchard Case
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1991 | Dee Dee begins exaggerating and pretending 10-month old Gypsy is ill |
| 2008 | Dee Dee convinces doctors Gypsy has muscular dystrophy and leukemia |
| 2012 | Gypsy realizes she can walk and suspects Dee Dee of deception |
| 2014 | Gypsy meets Godejohn online, they begin planning Dee Dee’s murder |
| June 14, 2015 | Godejohn stabs Dee Dee to death |
| July 2015 | Gypsy and Godejohn are arrested in Wisconsin |
| July 2016 | Gypsy accepts 10 year plea deal |
| February 2017 | Godejohn found guilty at trial, sentenced to life in prison |
| December 2023 | Gypsy released early on parole
Gypsy accepted a plea deal in 2016 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. In court, Gypsy apologized to her friends and family who were shocked by the murder and claimed she never wanted her mother dead despite her years of controlling abuse.
Godejohn was convicted of first-degree murder at trial in 2017 and sentenced to life in prison. He maintains he committed the murder out of love for Gypsy who he believed to be his girlfriend.
Gypsy Opens Up from Her New Home After Prison Release
Speaking from her new home with her husband and family, Gypsy Rose says she is focused on making the most of her second chance at life outside of her mother and prison walls.
Key Quotes from Gypsy’s First Interview
“Prison wasn’t much different than living with my mom. I was locked in a room for 10 years with mom in prison for seven.”
“I couldn’t believe I was actually free. It felt almost as if I was floating…I kept asking my husband, ‘is this real life?'”
“I would love to volunteer at animal shelters…That would be, like, a dream for me.”
“I think Dee Dee was like an addict who needed help. I absolutely loved my mother so much. She was like my best friend.”
When asked if she has been inundated with media requests now that she is free, Gypsy says she is trying to be more private but will participate in projects to educate others. For example, despite some backlash, she agreed to participate in a Lifetime documentary about her story.
Gypsy shared details of her new domestic life, including enjoying homecooked meals with her husband Ryan, decorating for her first Christmas out of prison, and going to a New Years Eve party with his extended family.
What Comes Next for Gypsy Blanchard
Regarding future plans, Gypsy says she eventually wants to become an advocate for abuse victims. She also shared dreams of having her own family one day with husband Ryan, who she married while in prison. Ryan has been a constant support, standing by her side immediately after her release.
However, Gypsy’s parole does come with restrictions. She is not allowed to contact Godejohn, who remains incarcerated across the state from her new home. She also cannot profit from her story until her parole period ends in 2032. This prevents her from publishing books or doing media interviews for compensation in the near future.
There is also the question of if Missouri prosecuting attorneys could file perjury charges against Gypsy for going against her court apology by now saying she feels her mother deserved to die. So far, no new charges have been filed but it remains a possibility law experts warn about.
What Supporters and Critics Are Saying
Many support groups for abuse victims have already reached out to Gypsy asking her to be their advocate and spokesperson. However, some disability activists have concerns about her profiting from the murder of her disabled mother. Online, some critics believe she is minimizing her role in the death by blaming her mother again.
Others counter that she was an abused child when she made her desperate, violent choice and has paid her debt to society. They want her to be able to move on with her life. Nearly all agree Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s story has brought vital attention to rarely talked about issues.
Her story continues to captivate and spark debate between supporters like women’s groups and true crime fans, versus disability activists and those who lost personally because of the murder. As Gypsy herself adjusts to newfound media attention and freedom, time will tell if she uses her platform to advance social causes, profit from the crime, or simply tries to live a quiet private life.
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