Gypsy Rose Blanchard, a survivor of child abuse who was convicted of her mother’s murder, has begun the new year as a free woman. On December 28, 2023, Blanchard was released from the Chillicothe Correctional Center in Chillicothe, Missouri, three years earlier than her initially scheduled release date.
It can be seen in a viral post from Mia Blanchard, Gypsy’s half-sister that she has reunited with her loved ones to celebrate her release from prison after serving seven years for her role in the tragic killing of her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard. Shortly, Gypsy marked her newfound freedom with her first “selfie of freedom” on Instagram.
As Gypsy unveils the untold chapters of her life, this presentation offers a glimpse into her murder case timeline using TrialLine, a legal timeline software. Take a retrospective look into her life and understand the circumstances that led her to take matters into her own hands.
Born Healthy
July 27, 1991: Gypsy Rose Blanchard is Born Healthy
Rod and Dee Dee first met during Rod’s high school years, and they tied the knot upon discovering Dee Dee’s pregnancy. At the time, Rod was 17, while Dee Dee was 24. Their paths separated shortly after Gypsy was born on July 27, 1991.
In a Buzzfeed News interview, Rod reflected on the rapid deterioration of his marriage with Dee Dee, which occurred by the time he turned 18. He candidly shared, “On my 18th birthday, I woke up and realized I wasn’t where I was supposed to be. I wasn’t genuinely in love with her. I knew I had married for the wrong reasons”
1991:Gypsy Undergoes a Sleep Apnea Examination
At three months old, Dee Dee suspected Gypsy had sleep apnea and started frequenting hospital tests. Despite multiple examinations, doctors found no issues with Gypsy’s health.
Undeterred, Dee Dee becomes increasingly convinced of Gypsy’s ailments, telling Rod her belief that their daughter suffered from a chromosomal defect, attributing her health problems to it. Over time, Dee Dee’s convictions escalated, leading her to claim that Gypsy had leukemia and muscular dystrophy falsely.
Hurricane Katrina and the Move to Missouri
August 2005: Dee Dee and Gypsy’s Home is Ripped by Hurricane Katrina
In August 2005, Sidell, Louisiana bore the brunt of Hurricane Katrina, leaving the Blanchard residence in ruins. Seeking refuge in a rescue shelter, Dee Dee claimed that the hurricane had destroyed all of Gypsy’s medical records, including her birth certificate. This sets the stage for further deceit from Dee Dee regarding Gypsy’s health and age.
2008: Dee Dee and Gypsy Move to Springfield, Missouri
Several years post-Hurricane Katrina, Dee Dee and Gypsy relocated to Springfield, Missouri when Habitat for Humanity built them a small, wheel-chair accessible home. Gypsy’s story captured media attention, leading to a flood of support including gifts, cash donations, concerts, celebrity meet-and-greets, and a trip to Disney World courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation
Devising an Escape
2007 and 2009: No Signs of the Claims
In 2007, Dr Bernardo Flasterstein, a former physician of Gypsy, raised concerns after examining her for muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy. He observed red flags and upon informing Dee Dee that Gypsy’s previous diagnoses were incorrect, Dee Dee left the in a storm, dismissing Flasterstein’s professional opinion.
In a letter to Gypsy’s primary care physician, Flastertein expressed his belief that Dee Dee might be suffering from Munchausen by proxy. However, at the time, he felt he lacked sufficient evidence to involve Child Protection Services. Another doctor, in 2009, also reached out to authorities, stating that he found no symptoms supporting Dee Dees’ claims about her daughter’s health.
February 2011: Gypsy Tries to Escape Her Mother’s Home
In February 2011, Gypsy attempted to break free from her mother’s home but was caught.
Following her capture, she claimed that she faced severe punishments at the hands of her mother. This incident stands out as the singular occasion when she sought an escape.
Speaking to ABC News in 2018, Gypsy recounted, “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”.
October 2012: Gypsy Creates an Online Dating Profile
Unbeknownst to her mother, Gypsy established an online dating profile in October 2012 and started communicating with Nicholas Godejohn. Over the years, they sustained a romantic connection through video chats and online messaging, ‒all behind Dee Dee’s back.
As reported by WFLA News, their conversations on the Christian dating app ranged from PG-rated fairy tale declarations of love to X-rated messages.
October 2014: Gypsy Forms a Friendship with Woodmansee
Gypsy develops a friendship with her neighbor, Aleah Woodmanse, engaging in online conversations through a discreet Facebook account. As Gypsy’s involvement with Godejohn intensifies, she starts confiding in Woodmanse.
Gypsy seeks advice from Woodmanse in a manner typical of regular teens. However, Dee Dee disapproves of Gypsy and Woodmanse’s exchanges, going so far as to destroy Gypsy’s phone and computer to hinder their online communication.
March 2015: Gypsy and Godejohn Meet in Person
Gypsy and Godejohn devise a plan to meet in person for the first time at a movie theater in Springfield, Missouri, with the anticipation that if Dee Dee met Godejohn in person she might grant her approval.
Nevertheless, upon their introduction, Dee De does not approve of the relationship. Gypsy recounted to ABC News that her mother ordered her to keep away from Godejohn, leading to a protected and intense argument that persisted for weeks. It was during this period that Gypdy decided to end her mother’s life. Gypsy clarified to ABC News that her decision was not driven by hatred but rather by a strong desire to escape.
Committing the Crime
June 9, 2015: Dee Dee is found murdered
Godejohn returns to Missouri, checks into a nearby motel, and awaits Gypsy to tell him Dee Dee is asleep. Upon receiving the go signal from Gypsy, he joins her at home, where Gypsy hands him a knife, duct tape, and gloves. While Godejohn carries out the act of killing Dee Dee, Gypsy hides in the bathroom with her hands over her ears.
Godejohm stabs Dee Dee 17 times. The couple then goes back to Godejohn’s motel room after the incident.
June 14, 2015: A Concerning Facebook Post
Using the “Dee Gyp Blancharde” Facebook account, Gypsy posted, That (expletive) is dead!” This post quickly raised alarms among Dee Dee’s friends, prompting them to notify the authorities.
Later that evening, the police discover Dee Dee in her residence with fatal stab wounds, while Gypsy is nowhere to and her three wheelchairs left in the house.
June 15, 2015: Gypsy and Godejohn Are Arrested
Law enforcement traces the previous Facebook posts to Godejohn’s residence in Wisconsin, leading to the arrest of both Gypsy and Godejohn.
Later on, Gypsy discloses that she wrote the post with the intention that someone would discover her mother’s body so she could have a proper burial.
Receiving Sentences
July 5, 2016: Gypsy Pleads Guilty to Murder
Following the plea agreement orchestrated with Green County Prosecutor Dan Patterson, Gypsy entered a guilty plea for second-degree murder, as reported by Springfield News-Leader. She receives a 10-year prison sentence, which represents the minimum term for second-degree murder, thereby avoiding a trial.
Speaking to ABC News in 2018, Gypsy expresses a sense of liberation in prison compared to living with her mother, noting that she can live like a normal woman.
November 15, 2018: Gypsy Testifies During Godejohn’s Murder Trial
In the weeks leading up to the murder, Gypsy testified that she harbored doubt, but the situation at home was getting worse. According to the New York Post, Gypsy stated in court, “Things were getting more and more physically abusive. The hitting was more. The starving was more”, Gypsy says in court, per the New York Post.
Gypsy says the murder was her idea and that she planned the majority of it. “I tacked him into it,” she says of Godejohn according to the Springfield News-Leader. She also answered why she didn’t murder Dee Dee herself, claiming she was too squeamish and didn’t like the sight of blood.
The fear of her mother’s retaliation prevented Gypsy from considering going to the police. Per the New York Post, she told the court, “I didn’t think anyone would believe me. I thought they would eventually tell my mom more about that and make my home even worse for me. I feared my mom more than anyone else.”
November 16, 2018: Godejohn is Guilty of First-Degree Murder
The jury reached a verdict, declaring Godejohn guilty of first-degree murder in the Death of Clauddine “ Dee Dee” Blanchard.
February 22, 2019: Godejohn is Sentenced to Life in Prison
Godejohn received a life sentence without the chance of parole, as reported by the Springfield News-Leader.
“I was blindly in love”, Godejohn told the judge during the sentencing hearing.
Time in Prison
March 20, 2019: “The Act” is Released
Hulu released their limited series titled “The Act” starring Joey King as Gypsy and Patricia Arquette as Dee Dee. The series dramatized the complex relationship between Gypsy and Dee including the abuse Gypsy Rose endured and the eventual murder of the mother.
Despite receiving critical acclaim and earning accolades, including Arquette’s Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a limited series, the portrayal didn’t sit well with Gypsy and her family.
Expressing her discontent in an email statement to Bustle, Gypsy said: “ I feel it is very unfair and unprofessional that producers and co-producer Michelle Dean has used my actual name and story without consent, and the life rights to do so.
April 2019: Gypsy Gets Engaged
According to a statement from family friend Fancy Marcelli to People magazine, Gypsy is now engaged. Marcelli shares that the couple initially connected as pen pals and went on to date for a year and a half before deciding to take the next step.
“They are very happy,” Marcelli told People. “ You can hear the excitement in her voice.”
The couple’s engagement was eventually called off.
June 2022: Gypsy Marries Ryan Scott Anderson
In May 2022, Gypsy and Anderson started communicating through emails when Anderson contacted Gypsy. The couple did not have the chance to meet face-to-face until July 2012 due to the pandemic, according to reports from People.
Speaking about their 2022 wedding to People, Gypsy explained, “Our prison wedding was just something to where we can make our vows to each other, It was something that meant something to us.”
December 27, 2023: Gypsy Expresses to People That She Regrets Her Mother’s Murder
In an interview with People prior to her release from prison, Gypsy opened up about her remorse regarding her mother’s murder., recalling how desperate she was to get out of the situation.
“ If I had another chance to redo everything, I don’t know if I would go back to when I was a child and tell my aunts and uncles that I’m not sick and mommy makes me sick,” Gypsy tells People.
She added,” Nobody will ever hear me say I’m glad she’s dead or I’m proud of what I did. I regret it every single day.”
Finally Freedom
December 28, 2023: Gypsy is Released from Prison Early
Though she was initially sentenced to 10 years in prison, Gypsy was released early from Chillicothe Correctional Center, serving 85% of her sentence.
Ahead of her release, Gypsy told People, “I’m ready for freedom. “I’m ready to expand and I think that goes for every facet of my life.”
December 29, 2023: “First Selfie of Freedom”
Gypsy shared her “First selfie of freedom!” on Instagram- solidifying her newfound stardom. The post garnered more than 6.4 million “likes” and drew comments from nearly 240, 000 users.
December 31, 2023: Addressing the Public
In a video shared on Instagram and TikTok, Gypsy addresses the public, expressing gratitude for the “overwhelming support” she has received since her release.
“It’s nice to be home. I’m back home in Louisiana, enjoying a beautiful day outside and I’ve got of great things happening soon,” she says and mentions her Lifetime docuseries.
Gypsy says she is looking forward to spending New Year’s Eve with her husband and family. “ We’re looking to ring in the new year together. It’s going to be really awesome to have some family time after so long,” she adds.
Understanding Munchausen by Proxy
Gypsy’s narrative and the tragic murder of Dee Dee brought significant attention to Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another, more commonly known by its previous name, Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MbP). This is a rare psychological condition in which an individual, typically the caregiver, often the mother, induces injury or illness in another person, fabricates symptoms, or portrays the victim as unwell, often subjecting them to unnecessary medical interventions.
In Gypsy’s case, she grew up with her mother, Dee Dee, falsely claiming various health issues that led to numerous medical interventions. Contrary to the assertions, Gypsy was not unwell; Dee Dee had fabricated her symptoms and induced illnesses. The deception began with claims of sleep apnea, and by the age of 8, Dee Dee falsely attributed leukemia and muscular dystrophy to Gypsy, asserting the need for a wheelchair and feeding tube. The list of fabricated medical problems continued, including asthma, and hearing and visual impairments. Due to Dee Dee’s actions, Gypsy underwent a multitude of unnecessary medical procedures, including surgeries on her eyes and removal of salivary glands, leading to tooth decay and subsequent extractions.
This serves as a poignant reminder that abuse can manifest through medical child abuse, a form often overlooked. Despite being a psychological condition, MbP or Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another, it is the victim who suffers the most, rather than the individual with the condition.
Learn more about Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome
A Look Into Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s Timeline with TrialLine
Now that Gypsy has begun to reveal more previously undisclosed details about her life, including her time in prison, many are revisiting the period preceding her “true freedom.” Here’s a timeline presented through TrialLine, a leading legal timeline software. TrialLine is a legal chronology tool designed for law firms and attorneys seeking comprehensive insights into their cases. It is versatile and applicable not only for crime cases but also for cases involving bankruptcy, divorce, child custody, and various other legal matters as well as creating medical chronologies.
Today, TrialLine serves the purpose of outlining Gypsy’s case, starting from her experiences of abuse, through the desperate actions she took, her acceptance of the sentence, and ultimately, her attainment of freedom.
Start your journey with Trialline by signing up for a 14-day free trial and attending a demo session with one of our experts.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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