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'Dee Dee' Blanchard's murder: What to know about her daughter, Gypsy Rose

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Before she was granted parole, the Munchausen syndrome by proxy victim admitted to feeling "freer in prison, than with living with my mom"
Before she was granted parole, the Munchausen syndrome by proxy victim admitted to feeling "freer in prison, than with living with my mom"

A MOTHER'S deception was uncovered when she was murdered by her daughter and her then-boyfriend.

After Gypsy Rose Blanchard served time for Dee Dee's homicide, she was granted parole, and now she's gearing up to star in her own Lifetime reality TV series, Gypsy-Rose: Life After Lock Up.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard was led to falsely believe she suffered from many health conditions because of her mother, Dee Dee eideiudiqetprw
Gypsy Rose Blanchard was led to falsely believe she suffered from many health conditions because of her mother, Dee DeeCredit: ABC

Who is Gypsy Rose Blanchard?

Born on July 27, 1991, Gypsy Rose Blanchard is a former prisoner and Munchausen by proxy victim from Golden Meadow, Louisiana.

The daughter of Clauddine "Dee Dee" Pitre and Rod Blanchard, Gypsy's mother, led her to believe she was sick most of her life.

Dee Dee deceived Gypsy and the people around her into believing she suffered from chronic medical conditions because the latter was born prematurely.

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According to the late matriarch, her daughter suffered from leukemia, asthma, and muscular dystrophy.

Investigators and medical professionals have concluded that Gypsy's mother most likely suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

MSbP is also known as Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another or FDIA.

On June 14, 2015, Dee Dee was found stabbed to death at her and Gypsy's home.

On Tuesday, June 16 of the same year, Gypsy and her then-boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn were arrested in connection to her mother's homicide.

When was Gypsy Rose sentenced?

On July 5, 2016, Gypsy accepted a plea bargain and pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Dee Dee; she was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Regarding her incarceration, Gypsy told ABC's 20/20: "There are certain illnesses that I knew I didn't have.

"Over here, I feel like I'm freer in prison, than with living with my mom.

"Because now, I'm allowed to…just live like a normal woman.

"The prison that I was living in before, with my mom, it's, like...I couldn't walk.

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"I couldn't eat. I couldn't have friends. I couldn't go outside, you know, and play with friends or anything.

"She physically chained me to the bed, and put bells on the doors, and told anybody that I probably would’ve trusted that I was going through a phase, and to tell her if I was doing anything behind her back."

On November 16, 2018, Godejohn was found guilty of first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

On February 22, 2019, Godejohn was sentenced to life in prison.

He remains incarcerated at Potosi Correctional Center in Missouri.

At his sentencing, he told the court: "I was blindly in love. That was always very much the case."

Where is Gypsy Rose now?

Gypsy Rose was released from Chillicothe Correctional Center on December 28, 2023, after she was granted parole in September.

While explaining her post-penitentiary plans, she revealed she looks forward to beginning a new life with her now-estranged husband, Ryan Scott Anderson.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard pictured with her late mother, Claudine "Dee Dee" Blanchard
Gypsy Rose Blanchard pictured with her late mother, Claudine "Dee Dee" BlanchardCredit: HBO

Gypsy Rose and Ryan tied the knot on June 27, 2022; the latter is a teacher from Louisiana.

Quickly after her release from prison, Gypsy Rose created an Instagram account where she famously shared selfies.

However, just months after her release, she deleted her Instagram account, prompting her millions of followers to worry.

After deleting her Instagram, Gypsy Rose confirmed on Facebook that she and Ryan were splitting up.

"People have been asking what is going on in my life," Gypsy wrote from her private account.

"Unfortunately my husband and I are going through a separation and I moved in with my parents' home down the bayou."

On April 8, 2024, Gypsy filed for divorce from Ryan.

Following her split from Ryan, Gypsy reconciled with her ex-fiancé Ken Urker and has since returned to social media.

In a May 26 post, Gypsy paid tribute to Ken, writing: "@kenurker I love you with all my heart.

"Every moment with you brings happiness that I never knew could be possible. We have a bright future ahead of us."

She also discussed how she came to forgive Dee Dee.

"I want to make sure that people in abusive relationships do not resort to murder," the former inmate shared with People.

Gypsy Rose and estranged husband Ryan Scott Anderson called it quits three months after her release
Gypsy Rose and estranged husband Ryan Scott Anderson called it quits three months after her releaseCredit: Instagram/ Gypsy Rose Blanchard

"It may seem like every avenue is closed off but there is always another way. Do anything, but don't take this course of action.

"She [Dee Dee] was a sick woman and unfortunately I wasn't educated enough to see that.

"She deserved to be where I am, sitting in prison doing time for criminal behavior.

"It's a journey. I'm still really trying to come to a place of forgiveness for her, for myself and the situation.

"I still love my mom and I'm starting to understand that it was something that was maybe out of her control, like an addict with an impulse.

"That helps me with coping and accepting what happened."

On Saturday, May 4, Gypsy Rose was spotted leaving Los Angeles International Airport after visiting LA to promote her upcoming Lifetime reality series.

The show Gypsy-Rose: Life After Lock Up is focused on her life after being released from prison.

Lifetime calls the series "an authentic, raw, and revealing look at Gypsy's new life on the outside."

During the series, she is set to discuss her previous breakup with Ken despite the pair getting back together.

The show premieres on Monday, June 3, 2024, at 9 pm ET. It will be available to stream the following day.

Kevin Quinitchett

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