She spent years in a wheelchair she didn't need, undergoing surgeries she didn't require, for illnesses she never had. Her mother invented all of it.
A Childhood Built on Lies
Gypsy Rose Blanchard, born in 1991, was raised by her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, who claimed from Gypsy's infancy that she suffered from a growing list of serious illnesses — including leukemia, muscular dystrophy, seizures, and vision and hearing impairments — none of which she actually had. Dee Dee had Gypsy's salivary glands removed, shaved her head to explain apparent baldness, and had her teeth extracted, subjecting her to unnecessary medications and a feeding tube she didn't need. Experts who later reviewed the case believe Dee Dee suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, also called factitious disorder imposed on another, in which a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in someone under their care.
Control and Isolation
Dee Dee controlled nearly every aspect of Gypsy's life, refusing to let her attend school, falsifying her age on official documents, and instructing her not to speak during medical visits. When some professionals raised concerns about Gypsy's actual condition over the years, Dee Dee either changed doctors or successfully convinced caseworkers there was no cause for concern. A 2011 escape attempt with a man Gypsy had met ended when Dee Dee tracked them down; Gypsy has said her mother restrained her and limited her food afterward.
The Murder
In 2015, Gypsy, using a Christian dating website, met Nicholas Godejohn online and told him the truth about her mother's abuse. Gypsy asked Godejohn to kill Dee Dee so the two of them could be together. In June 2015, Godejohn came to their Missouri home and killed Dee Dee while Gypsy waited elsewhere in the house. The two then fled to Wisconsin, where they were later found and arrested.
Trial and Sentencing
Gypsy's attorneys used her medical and family history to negotiate a plea agreement. In 2016, she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with parole eligibility beginning in 2024. Godejohn was convicted of first-degree murder in 2018 and sentenced to life in prison.
Where Things Stand
Gypsy has spoken publicly about her experience since her release, describing years of psychological control that experts have compared to captivity. She has said she does not regret leaving the abusive situation, even as she has expressed conflicted feelings about her mother's death.
FAQ
What mental health condition did Gypsy's mother reportedly have?
Experts believe Dee Dee Blanchard had Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a disorder involving fabricating or inducing illness in a person under one's care.
What happened to Nicholas Godejohn?
He was convicted of first-degree murder in 2018 and sentenced to life in prison.
Did Gypsy Rose Blanchard actually have any of the illnesses her mother claimed?
No. Medical evidence later confirmed she did not have leukemia, muscular dystrophy, or the other conditions Dee Dee claimed.