In 2016, a shocking crime took place when Gypsy Rose Blanchard was sentenced to 10 years for her involvement in her mother's brutal murder. The case gained widespread attention after a Facebook post led authorities to discover her mother's body in their Missouri home.
At the time, Gypsy Rose was 23 years old and was found hundreds of miles away from the crime scene with her boyfriend, Nick Godejohn. Both of them were apprehended and charged with murder. Eventually, Blanchard pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
What initially seemed like a failed fraud scheme turned out to be a harrowing tale of abuse. This story later served as the inspiration for the acclaimed 2019 Hulu miniseries, "The Act," featuring Joey King as Blanchard and Patricia Arquette as Dee Dee. The series went on to receive critical acclaim, winning both an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
When will Gypsy Rose Blanchard be released from prison?
According to officials confirmed by CBS News, after spending seven years behind bars, Blanchard is scheduled to be released on December 28.
Upon her release, Blanchard has expressed her desire to meet Taylor Swift.
The now 32-year-old admitted to TMZ that she is looking forward to the opportunity of meeting Taylor Swift after her release from prison.
An ebook, titled "Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom," is set to be released on January 9th.
A news release from Penguin Random House states, "Gypsy saw her story told by others again and again in the media, from news reports and podcasts to TV series. Now, granted early parole and preparing to start a new life, she's free to speak directly to her supporters and the world."
Why was Gypsy Rose Blanchard in prison?
Gypsy Rose Blanchard pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for her involvement in the murder of Clauddine "Dee Dee" Blanchard.
Dee Dee claimed that her daughter suffered from multiple medical issues, including leukemia and muscular dystrophy, which she chronicled on social media. Posts on their shared Facebook page created the perception of a caring mother and her sickly daughter. Kind messages from supporters were left on profile picture changes.
"She always has a big pretty smile!! Pretty," wrote one woman. "Love button!" gushed another.
The "Dee Gyp Blancharde" page, now a memorialized account, still contains the infamous post from June 14, 2015: "That [expletive] is dead!"
That final update has been shared more than 109,000 times, and panic-stricken comments from supporters can still be seen.
"WHAT?!!! Did your FB get hacked? I have never heard you talk like that," writes one person. Another woman wrote, "Should someone notify the local police??? This sounds scary."
Initially believed to be confined to a wheelchair, Gypsy was able to "walk without assistance" and she could do that "very well," Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott said at a news conference in June 2015.
"Things are not always as they appear," Arnott said, as he detailed the alleged fraud that her mother had been perpetrating for years. "This is a tragic event surrounded by mystery and public deception."
Investigators believed Dee Dee may have been partially motivated by financial gain. According to The Associated Press, she received donations from various sources over the years and even received a free house from Habitat for Humanity.
Godejohn told police he stabbed Dee Dee Blanchard to death at Gypsy's request, using a knife she gave him. He said he stole cash and mailed the knife to his Wisconsin home before the two fled there, according to court documents.
Godejohn Sentenced to Life in Prison for Armed Criminal Action
Godejohn was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison, plus 25 years for armed criminal action, reported CBS affiliate KOLR. He later sought a new trial, but was denied.
What is Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy?
Munchausen syndrome, now known as "factitious disorder," is a serious mental disorder in which someone deceives others by appearing sick, by purposely getting sick or by self-injury, according to the Mayo Clinic. When family members or caregivers falsely present others as being ill, injured or impaired, this is known as "factitious disorder imposed on another," or Munchausen by proxy.
Gypsy Blanchard has said that Dee Dee forced her use a wheelchair and said that she had a slew of physical illnesses and mental disabilities — even restraining her with dog leashes and handcuffs when she was disobedient, reported Inside Edition.
One of Blanchard's former doctors even became suspicious of her muscular dystrophy diagnosis, writing in her file in 2007, "Analyzing all the facts, and after talking to her previous pediatrician, there is a strong possibility of Munchausen by proxy, with maybe some underlying unknown etiology to explain for her symptoms," according to the now-defunct BuzzFeed News.
Studies show Munchausen syndrome by proxy is very rare, especially when compared with other types of child abuse.
