Caution: There is an offensive term in a screenshot from a Facebook page.
Prepare for the gripping finale of a notorious true-crime case that has captivated the world for the last 15 years.
The case of Clauddine “Dee” and Gypsy Rose Blanchard has gone down in American history as one of the most recognized cases of suspected Munchhausen by Proxy, a psychological condition in which a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in the person or people under their care to gain attention or sympathy..
The condition now referred to as “Factitious disorder imposed on another” is believed to be the underlying cause of Dee’s pervasive deceit, which led her to deceive her friends, family, charitable organizations, doctors, and even Gypsy herself. Dee managed to convince everyone that her daughter was severely unwell and much younger than she actually was.
Dee Dee went to great lengths to make Gypsy believe that she couldn’t walk, breathe, or eat properly. She made her rely on a wheelchair, feeding tube, and oxygen. However, it was later revealed that Gypsy was perfectly capable of doing all these things on her own, without any assistance.
Dee Dee started to medically mistreat Gypsy when she was only 8 years old. At that time, she claimed that her daughter had been diagnosed with leukemia and muscular dystrophy, and required a wheelchair, feeding tube, and other medical assistance.
Her habit of claiming that her daughter was sick began early on. Dee Dee asserted that Gypsy had sleep apnea as an infant shortly after birth, and later claimed she had seizures, asthma, and problems with hearing and vision. Dee Dee went as far as having doctors prescribe medications and perform surgeries for these alleged conditions.
Gypsy and her boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, planned to escape from Dee Dee, which tragically led to her death by stabbing. After being sentenced to 10 years following the murder, Gypsy has transformed into a well-known personality, sharing her story, discussing her crimes, and being featured in documentaries and television shows such as “Mommy Dead and Dearest” and “The Act.”
After completing 85% of her sentence, Gypsy, now 32, is scheduled to be released from prison on Thursday, December 28th. Following years of complexity in the case, the public is closely watching Blanchard’s next steps upon her release. Want to catch up on the intricate situation? Refresh your memory with our detailed timeline.
March 2008: Dee Dee and Gypsy move to Springfield.
Upon the Blanchards’ arrival in Missouri in September 2005, Dee Dee informed the neighbors that their Louisiana apartment and Gypsy’s medical records were lost due to the devastating Hurricane Katrina. Given the seemingly genuine devotion of the caring mother and her unwell daughter (who had a shaved head and had lost her teeth because medication caused them to decay), the local Habitat for Humanity organization stepped forward and constructed a remarkable pink, wheelchair-accessible home for this deserving family in Springfield.
Prior to the pink home being finished in March 2008, the couple resided in temporary housing in Aurora, Missouri. The community came together to support the family through various means, organizing charity events, providing donations, and sponsoring Gypsy’s trips and medical expenses.
Gypsy tried to escape in February 2011
Despite multiple doctors raising concerns about Gypsy’s well-being from 2007 to 2009, with one even suspecting Dee Dee had Munchausen by Proxy, Gypsy continued to be under her mother’s care.
In February 2011, Gypsy made her first and apparently only attempt to escape from her mother’s home. This happened after she met a 35-year-old man at a science fiction convention and had been communicating with him online. Gypsy then followed the man to his hotel room, where she was ultimately discovered by Dee Dee. The Gypsy, who was 19 at the time, was informed by her mother that she was actually only 15 years old. Dee Dee, the mother, repeated this declaration to the man before taking her daughter back home.
Gypsy stated that after her attempt to run away, Dee Dee punished her harshly by smashing her phone and computer, chaining her to a bed, and putting bells on all the doors to prevent her from escaping.
Gypsy and Nicholas Godejohn chat online in October 2012
Whenever Dee Dee wasn’t paying attention, Gypsy would frequently sneak onto a Christian dating site. It was on this platform that she first encountered Nicholas Godejohn, who resided in Big Bend, Wisconsin. Despite being diagnosed with autism, Godejohn developed a fondness for Gypsy.
They embarked on a long-term relationship that spanned several years, sustained through video calls and online messages, all concealed from Dee Dee, who was an overbearing figure in their lives.
Gypsy talks to neighbor in October 2014
Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s highly anticipated release: Gypsy Blanchard’s release from prison looms as Nicholas Godejohn fervently fights for a new trial.
Gypsy befriended her neighbor Aleah Woodmanse and they had secret chats on Facebook. In October 2014, she opened up to Woodmanse about her online relationship, expressing her deep love for Godejohn and their shared plans for the future.
She informed Woodmanse that the couple intended to escape together or elope, and had been involved in a passionate and sexually explicit relationship through their digital communication.Unaware of Gypsy’s true age, this alarmed Woodmanse.
March 2015: Blanchard and Godejohn finally meet face to face
In order to win over Dee Dee and gain her approval of their relationship, Gypsy and Godejohn made a strategic decision to meet face-to-face for the very first time in March 2015.
Godejohn headed towards a movie theater in Springfield, Missouri, where Dee Dee and Gypsy had arranged to watch Disney’s “Cinderella” film. At the theater, the two of them reunited, Gypsy portraying Cinderella and Godejohn as the dashing Prince Charming.
Although the couple managed to sneak off to the bathroom for their first intimate encounter, their meeting took a turn for the worse since Dee Dee did not approve of Godejohgn when they were introduced.
Later, Gypsy revealed that her mother’s punishment after this incident prompted her to start considering drastic measures to escape from Dee Dee. Godejohn and Gypsy then started planning this together.
June 9, 2015: Dee Dee Blanchard murdered
On June 9, 2015, Godejohn once more journeyed to Missouri to rendezvous with Gypsy. On this occasion, he secured a motel room and bid his time for the signal from Gypsy confirming that Dee was asleep.
That night, he went to the Blanchards’ house and was given a knife, gloves, and duct tape by Gypsy, who later confided to ABC 20/20 news “I truly believed he would ultimately back out.”
As she concealed herself in the bathroom, her hands covering her ears, Godejohn delivered 17 fatal stabs to the unsuspecting Dee. As a consequence, the couple engaged in an intimate act on Gypsy’s bed before hastily departing to Godejohn’s motel room by means of a taxi. Subsequently, they boarded a bus heading back to Big Bend, discreetly mailing the murder weapon from Springfield,eld to Wisconsin.
Dee found dead due to Facebook post on June 14, 2015
Gypsy and Godejohn took the initiative to bring public attention to the crime by posting two updates on Dee Dee’s Facebook page, days after her lifeless body had been left unnoticed in her home.
One message stated, “That person is deceased!” While the other message read, “I fiercely attacked that obese individual and violated her innocent daughter…Her scream was extremely loud, amusingly enough.”
The alarming messages immediately grabbed the attention of friends and neighbors, who promptly contacted the police. Later that evening, authorities found Dee Dee’s body and Gypsy’s deserted wheelchair in the house, leading to speculation that she may have been harmed or abducted.
Woodmanse’s concerns led to him contacting the police about Gypsy’s relationship with Godejohn. As a result, the police were able to locate Godejohn’s social media account and track his location through his IP address.
June 15, 2015: Gypsy and Nicholas are discovered
Based on the information obtained from the Facebook posts, the police successfully traced the couples whereabouts to Godejohn’s residence. They swiftly carried out a raid on June 15, 2015, to apprehend them.
Godejohn surrendered and was apprehended, and Gypsy was discovered unharmed and subsequently also arrested. Although she initially denied any involvement, she later confessed after Godejohn informed the police that they had planned the crime together. They were extradited to Missouri, where friends were relieved to hear that Gypsy was alive and safe.
The couple’s bond was valued at a staggering $1 million. However, during a press conference, the Springfield sheriff cryptically stated, “Things are not always as they appear.” Little did anyone know, this was just the tip of the iceberg. Shockingly, it was revealed that Gypsy was not only capable of walking but had never been sick to begin with. This revelation left everyone who knew them utterly stunned.
July 5, 2016: Gypsy confesses to the killing
On July 5, 2016, Gypsy Blanchard willingly accepted a plea agreement, which included pleading guilty to second-degree murder. After the shocking revelation of the profound suffering her own mother had subjected her to, she received a 10-year prison sentence, prompting empathy from the defense, prosecutors, and the general public alike.
Gypsy has since said in interviews that she didn’t despise her mother, but simply wanted to evade her tyranny.y. Later, she bravely testified during Godejohn’s trial in 2018, courageously unveiling further scandalous accounts of her mother’s mistreatment.
November 2018: Godejohn convicted of murder
Despite Godejohn’s defense arguing that he had diminished capacity and believed he was saving Gypsy by murdering her mother, he was found guilty by a jury in November 2018.
On February 22, 2019, Godejohn was sentenced to life
In February 2019, Godejohn received a life sentence without the chance of parole.His team has recently embarked on a relentless battle, advocating for a new trial.
In July 2022, Gypsy marries in prison.
The case of Gypsy sparked a heated debate, as there were those who strongly believed that she did not warrant imprisonment from the beginning. Nevertheless, she made a memorable statement on 20/20, revealing that she actually found a sense of liberation behind bars, contrasting her previous situation with her mother.
“The previous living situation I had with my mom felt like a prison. I was restricted from walking, eating, having friends, or going outside to play. Now, I feel more liberated in actual prison than when I was with my mom. Here, I can finally live as a normal woman.”
It is said that Gypsy resumed dating while in prison, and their love story culminated in a marriage to Ryan Scott Anderson in July 2022.
Gypsy’s parole was granted in September 2023
Gypsy, 32, has been granted parole in September 2023 after serving 85% of her 10-year sentence. She is set to be released on December 28, 2023.
On December 28, 2023, Gypsy was released from prison
Gypsy Rose Blanchard will be freed from prison on Thursday, December 28, and intends to attend a Kansas City Chiefs game with her husband. Additionally, she will release her e-book “Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom” set to be published on January 9, 2024.
Her future plans after her release remain undisclosed.
