If you are a true crime fan, then Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s story should be familiar to you. Gypsy Blanchard and her former boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn were sentenced to prison for the June 2015 murder of her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard. On December 28, 2023, she was paroled and released from prison.
Godejohn received a life sentence, whereas Gypsy pled guilty to second-degree murder in 2016. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison and wouldn’t serve her entire sentence. In 2019, Godejohn was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. According to him, he was blindly in love with Gypsy and would have done anything for her. This included killing her mother.
Gypsy Rose was born in 1991. Early on, Gypsy’s mother began making false claims that she had nonexistent medical conditions. Among the illnesses alleged were sleep apnea, leukemia, seizures, asthma, hearing and visual impairments, and muscular dystrophy. After becoming wheelchair-bound, Gypsy was fitted with a feeding tube.
In Gypsy’s case, none of these issues existed.
Dee Dee’s behavior was later attributed to Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a mental disorder. She had made everyone believe she was a loving mother caring for her sick daughter. In reality, Dee Dee had lied in order to gain monetary benefits for herself and Gypsy. For instance, they lived in a Habitat for Humanity home.
This case has been extensively documented. My main focus for this article is Gypsy’s release. Her release seems to be a contentious issue. Many people believe Gypsy should remain in prison for life because she persuaded Nicholas Godejohn to murder her mother. People want to know why Gypsy was released while Godejohn will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Godejohn would probably not be in prison if he had never met Gypsy Blanchard. On Facebook, I asked people to share their opinions about Gypsy’s release. Most of them supported Gypsy’s release:
I have followed her story since day one, and waited for her release. I am happy that she was released, but I believe it should be with the stipulation that she undergo a psychological evaluation and therapy. What her mother did was incomprehensible. It was bound to leave unseen scars. …. C.A.
She should get out and so should her boyfriend. They served enough time in prison. Gypsy should get ongoing therapy for all the horrible abuse she suffered for years. It’s all she knew! GOD will be the final judge. It’s difficult to understand how doctors and medical personnel were unable to recognize the mother’s manipulation. Dee Dee’s case is the gold standard for Munchhausen syndrome. … CH
I don’t believe she was as cognizant of what she was doing as him. She was traumatized mentally, and I don’t think she really understood the ramifications of her actions. She just wanted out of the abuse and couldn’t think of another way to escape. I read that she tried telling people and nobody believed her. She felt like a prisoner. I don’t know much about him, but he just committed a crime at the behest of his new gf, so he is more culpable, Imo. … T.H.
I’ve watched the series The Act on Hulu which is all I know about the case. After watching that I’m not sure she should have done hard time at all. She lived a sheltered life, was abused and trapped. It’s no different than trying to escape from a kidnapper. She should have spoken out to social services and other doctors when she had the chance. Murder was not the answer. But I think in her situation it was the only thing that made sense to her at the time. … S.C.
When I look at this case, I can understand why Gypsy felt killing her mother was her only way out. People will say, why didn’t she just move away or call authorities? First, you have to realize that she was abused her entire life. She wasn’t thinking rationally and couldn’t trust anyone. Second, she was fearful of her mother and worried about what might happen to her if she tried to leave home.
Gypsy convinced the courts she deserved a second chance. However, it was the opposite for Godejohn. He received a life sentence with no parole possibility. His sentence was severe because he stabbed Dee Dee Blanchard to death.
Today, Gypsy is married and free. I am not sure what she will do with her second chance, but I hope she can take full advantage of her opportunities. Was releasing Gypsy Blanchard back into the public a wise move? Only time will tell. We will have to wait and see if this young woman can avoid additional trouble. Personally? I am praying for her and hope she can overcome her past.
Marc is a longtime resident of Clermont County and an avid reader. Contact him through his website at www.themarcabe.com. Marc also has a podcast called Catch My Killer where he interviews family members seeking justice for their murdered loved ones. You can listen at www.catchmykiller.com.