Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s name has become synonymous with a bizarre and tragic case of deception, abuse, and ultimately, murder. Released on parole after serving 85% of her ten-year sentence, the Missouri woman’s story continues to captivate and confound the public. To understand her release and the media frenzy surrounding it, it’s crucial to address the central question: What Did Gypsy Rose Do?
At the heart of this case lies the death of Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, Gypsy’s mother, in 2015. Gypsy Rose was convicted of second-degree murder for her role in orchestrating her mother’s killing. She didn’t physically commit the act herself; instead, she persuaded her online boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, to carry out the crime. This act of persuasion, born out of years of unimaginable abuse, is what placed Gypsy Rose behind bars.
But to simply state that Gypsy Rose orchestrated a murder is to drastically oversimplify a deeply complex situation. Her actions were the culmination of years of horrific abuse at the hands of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. Dee Dee suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, now known as Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA). This psychological disorder drove Dee Dee to fabricate and exaggerate Gypsy’s illnesses, forcing her daughter to live a life of medical falsehood.
From a young age, Gypsy was presented to the world, and even to herself, as a child battling leukemia, muscular dystrophy, and various other severe conditions. Dee Dee subjected her to unnecessary medical treatments, including surgeries and medications. Gypsy was forced to use a wheelchair and feeding tube, despite being perfectly healthy. This elaborate deception was maintained for years, fooling doctors, charities, and their community. They received donations, trips, and even a house from Habitat for Humanity, all built on the foundation of Dee Dee’s lies.
As Gypsy grew older, she began to realize the truth. The constant medical interventions, the isolation, and the physical abuse she endured from her mother pushed her to desperation. Gypsy testified that Dee Dee became physically violent, beating her and even chaining her to a bed. Slowly, the realization dawned on Gypsy that she was not sick, that her entire life was a fabrication designed to feed her mother’s psychological needs.
Driven by a desperate desire for freedom and escape from her mother’s control, Gypsy Rose initiated contact with Nicholas Godejohn online. In their online exchanges, she confided in him about her situation and her desire to be free. This desire morphed into a plan, orchestrated by Gypsy, for Godejohn to kill Dee Dee. In 2015, Godejohn traveled to Missouri and carried out the murder while Gypsy hid in the bathroom. They then fled to Wisconsin before being apprehended.
Following Dee Dee’s death and the subsequent investigation, the truth about the Blanchards’ life unraveled, shocking the nation. The revelation of Munchausen by proxy and the extent of Dee Dee’s deception painted Gypsy’s actions in a different light. While she was undoubtedly involved in her mother’s death, her role was framed by the years of abuse she had suffered.
Gypsy Rose’s case became a national sensation, explored in documentaries like “Mommy Dead and Dearest” and the Hulu miniseries “The Act.” These productions, along with Gypsy’s upcoming memoir, delve into the intricate details of the case and the psychological complexities of Munchausen by proxy.
Ultimately, what Gypsy Rose did was make a desperate choice in an impossible situation. She orchestrated her mother’s murder as a final, tragic act to escape years of abuse and deception. Her release from prison marks not an end to the story, but rather a new chapter in a life forever marked by tragedy and the long shadow of Munchausen by proxy. The question of what Gypsy Rose did is not just about the crime, but about understanding the context of abuse that drove her actions, a context that continues to fascinate and provoke discussion.
