Gypsy Rose Makes Surprising Announcement

For seven years, Dee Dee and daughter Gypsy Rose Blanchard lived in a small pink house in Springfield, Missouri. Neighbors liked them. One neighbor described Dee Dee as “sweet.” Their story was memorable — Dee Dee was a large, cheerful woman from Louisiana, known for her generosity.

She didn’t work, dedicating her time to care for Gypsy Rose, her teenage daughter, who was confined to a wheelchair due to numerous health issues.

Gypsy Rose was small, maybe 5 feet tall. She wore large glasses and looked frail with her pale, thin appearance and deteriorating teeth. She had a feeding tube and sometimes needed an oxygen tank. Dee Dee listed a long series of health problems Gypsy had.

They included things like chromosomal defects, muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, asthma, sleep apnea, and vision problems. Dee Dee said these issues had been present since Gypsy was a baby.

Gypsy’s life was challenging due to her health. Despite being friendly and talkative, she had a high, childlike voice. Dee Dee often reminded others that Gypsy had brain damage and needed homeschooling, as she wouldn’t be able to keep up with other kids.

She said Gypsy had the mental capacity of a 7-year-old. Gypsy loved dressing up, especially in princess outfits, and often wore wigs — with a curly blonde Cinderella wig being her favorite.

“We are a pair of shoes,” Gypsy once said, indicating her inseparable bond with her mother. Their house, provided by Habitat for Humanity, was equipped with special amenities for Gypsy — like a wheelchair ramp and a Jacuzzi tub.

Dee Dee often hosted movie nights for neighborhood kids, projecting films on their house’s side. She charged for snacks, saying the money would go towards Gypsy’s medical treatments.

Dee Dee was close with a neighbor, Amy Pinegar, and her family. Over tea and coffee, Dee Dee shared her life story with Amy. She told her about escaping her abusive family in Louisiana with Gypsy.

Dee Dee painted Gypsy’s father as an abusive deadbeat and said they had lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. Dee Dee’s stories evoked deep sympathy from Amy, who often helped them with rides and shopping.

The community saw Dee Dee and Gypsy as a family triumphing over adversity. But one day, a disturbing Facebook post appeared on Dee Dee’s account, stating, “That b—- is dead.”

This unsettling message, posted on a hot June afternoon, led to a flurry of disbelief and concern among friends. They debated if the account was hacked and whether to alert the police.

A more violent and graphic post soon followed, escalating the concern. Kim Blanchard, a local resident who knew the Blanchards (but wasn’t related), saw the posts. She remembered meeting them at a convention and thinking of them as a perfect mother-daughter duo.

Worried, Kim tried calling Dee Dee but got no answer. She and her husband decided to check on them personally.

Arriving at the Blanchard home, Kim found a crowd of anxious neighbors. They noted Dee Dee’s cube van, which was used to transport Gypsy, was parked in the driveway. This was odd, as Dee Dee and Gypsy occasionally left for medical trips without notice.

The house seemed secure, with a protective film on the windows making it difficult to see inside. Despite knocking, there was no response.

Kim called 911, but the police needed a warrant to enter the house. In the meantime, her husband entered through a window. Inside, the house was dark and the air-conditioning was on high — but there were no signs of robbery or struggle. Gypsy’s wheelchairs were all there, heightening concerns about her well-being without them.

The police started collecting statements from neighbors as they awaited the search warrant. Kim kept the online community updated through Facebook, confirming the police’s involvement. The tension and worry among Dee Dee’s online friends and acquaintances grew, with many questions and speculations arising. Kim tried to manage the flood of inquiries as best as she could.

The search warrant was issued late at night. The police discovered Dee Dee’s body in the bedroom; she had been stabbed and was dead for several days. However, Gypsy was nowhere to be found, intensifying the fear and mystery surrounding the situation.

In response, Kim organized a vigil and a GoFundMe to support funeral expenses and potentially for Gypsy, if needed. The community, who had always seen Gypsy as vulnerable and in need of protection, feared the worst. Many couldn’t comprehend why anyone would target someone so defenseless.

The investigation continued, as a young woman named Aleah Woodmansee approached the police with crucial information. She knew about Gypsy’s secret online boyfriend, information that could be vital to the case. Aleah, the daughter of Amy Pinegar, had formed a close bond with Gypsy, considering herself like a big sister to her.

Aleah recounted to the police how Gypsy had confided in her through a secret Facebook account under the name “Emma Rose.” Gypsy had revealed her relationship with a man she met on a Christian dating site. She had fallen in love with him and discussed plans to marry him. Gypsy’s online relationship and her aspirations for a normal life were at odds with the image Dee Dee presented of her.

Gypsy’s boyfriend was Nicholas Godejohn. They had been communicating for over two years, and he accepted her wheelchair-bound condition. Gypsy had even planned how Dee Dee could meet Nicholas, hoping to openly continue their relationship afterward.

Aleah had previously received messages from Gypsy about boys, but she was concerned about this relationship and Dee Dee’s possible reaction.

Dee Dee had confronted Aleah in 2011, accusing her of corrupting Gypsy with their talks about boys. Following the confrontation, Dee Dee limited Gypsy’s internet access and took away her computer for some time.

Despite this, Gypsy found ways to communicate with Aleah, but their interactions dwindled. After discussing Nicholas Godejohn in 2014, Aleah lost contact with Gypsy.

With the emerging details, the police traced the IP address of the Facebook posts to Nicholas Godejohn’s house in Wisconsin. On June 15th, officers were dispatched to the location. The standoff was brief, with Godejohn quickly surrendering. To everyone’s relief, Gypsy was found with him, unharmed and in surprisingly good health.

The sheriff, addressing the media, emphasized, “Things are not always as they appear.” It was revealed that Gypsy hadn’t used a wheelchair since leaving her house days earlier. She could walk and did not require the medications or oxygen tank she was previously believed to need. Her physical appearance was drastically different from her supposed disabled state.

Gypsy’s confession to the police unveiled a shocking reality. The image of a disabled child, which she had portrayed for years, was a complete fabrication. Her mother, Dee Dee, had orchestrated this deception. Friends and acquaintances, like Aleah, were overwhelmed by the enormity of this revelation.

The community, who had known and supported Dee Dee and Gypsy, struggled to process the truth. They questioned their own perceptions and the authenticity of the Blanchards. Amy Pinegar reflected on her interactions with Dee Dee, wondering if they had all been deceived.

Dee Dee’s real name was Clauddine Blanchard. She often used different names and spellings over the years. Her past, a mix of truth and deception, included a troubled family life in Louisiana. She grew up in Golden Meadow with several siblings — and her father, Claude Pitre, is still alive.

Gypsy’s father, Rod Blanchard, remained in the area near Golden Meadow. He shared physical traits with Gypsy and had a laid-back demeanor. Rod and Dee Dee’s relationship began in high school and resulted in pregnancy. They married when Rod was 17, but he soon realized it was a mistake and left Dee Dee.

Gypsy was born shortly after their separation on July 27th, 1991. Rod liked the name Gypsy, and he was a fan of Guns N’ Roses, hence her name. The couple was unaware of the historical figure Gypsy Rose Lee, a vaudeville child star turned stripper who also had a controlling stage mother.

According to Rod, Gypsy was healthy at birth. However, Dee Dee became convinced Gypsy had sleep apnea at three months old, leading to numerous hospital visits. Despite doctors finding no issues, Dee Dee persisted in her belief that Gypsy was a sickly child, convincing Rod that it was due to a chromosomal defect.

Dee Dee’s deception about Gypsy’s health escalated quickly. She consistently sought new diagnoses and treatments, using her medical knowledge to convince doctors. Her control over the situation and her confidence in medical discussions prevented others from questioning her.

Rod remarried and had less contact with Gypsy, though he remained involved in her life. Dee Dee moved frequently, blurring Gypsy’s medical history. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit, and Dee Dee used the disaster to further her narrative, claiming they had lost everything… including Gypsy’s medical records.

Dee Dee and Gypsy ended up in a special-needs shelter after Katrina. They were charmed by Dr. Janet Jordan, who suggested they move to Missouri. Their story garnered media attention and charity support. They moved to Missouri in 2005 and later received a house from Habitat for Humanity.

Dee Dee kept Rod informed about Gypsy’s health and continued to depict him negatively to others. Rod and his wife, Kristy, stayed in touch with Gypsy and sent financial support. Rod was unaware of Dee Dee’s broader narrative and the media attention they received in Missouri.

Rod noticed some inconsistencies in Dee Dee’s stories. On Gypsy’s 18th birthday, Dee Dee insisted that Gypsy thought she was 14 and asked Rod not to contradict this. Rod complied, not wanting to upset Gypsy. Rod believed Dee Dee was trapped in her own web of lies, which she couldn’t escape.

He and Kristy were unaware of the local news stories and charity drives in Missouri. Everything changed for Rod when he learned about Dee Dee’s death and Gypsy’s disappearance.

Rod saw Gypsy walk for the first time during a news report on her court appearance. He and Kristy were shocked and confused. When they saw Dee Dee’s autopsy report, they were further bewildered by her actions.

Gypsy was confused about many details of her life. She initially told the police she was 19, but she was actually 23. Dee Dee had convinced Gypsy she had cancer and needed various medications, some of which may never have been prescribed.

Dee Dee manipulated not only the medical professionals but also Gypsy. In Munchausen by proxy cases, the victim often becomes complicit in the deception. Gypsy’s prolonged abuse was unprecedented, and her grasp of reality was distorted. Gypsy’s medical records contradicted Dee Dee’s claims.

Despite tests showing Gypsy was healthy, Dee Dee continued to seek treatments for non-existent conditions. The medical community failed to identify the deception, accepting Dee Dee’s narrative without thorough investigation.

In 2007, Dr. Bernardo Flasterstein became suspicious of Dee Dee’s story but did not pursue it further. The medical community in Springfield accepted Dee Dee’s version of events, and Dr. Flasterstein felt isolated in his suspicions. He regrets not taking more decisive action.

In 2009, an anonymous call to the police raised doubts about Gypsy’s health. The police visited the Blanchard home, but Dee Dee convinced them that she used different names to hide from an abusive ex-husband. The police accepted this explanation without further investigation.

Gypsy once attempted to escape from Dee Dee. She met a man at a convention and communicated with him online. They met at a hotel in 2011, but Dee Dee intervened, proving Gypsy was a minor.

After this incident, Dee Dee restricted Gypsy’s internet access even more. “She found me, brought me back, and put in place paperwork saying I was incompetent and she had power of attorney over me.”

The community in Springfield grappled with guilt and disbelief following the revelation of the truth. Many felt they could have done more to uncover the deception. The realization that Gypsy had been subjected to unnecessary medical procedures and control was a shocking revelation for those who knew her.

After Dee Dee’s murder, speculation and theories about Gypsy and the case proliferated on social media. Online groups formed, discussing the case and expressing various opinions about Gypsy’s culpability and her family’s involvement.

The online speculation affected the case’s public perception. People called the police with their theories and attended court hearings. The Blanchards and their neighbors found themselves scrutinized by online sleuths, leading to misinformation and confusion.

Initially, it seemed Gypsy’s case would go to trial for first-degree murder. Investigations uncovered text messages and social media evidence suggesting planning and discussion of the murder. Gypsy and Nicholas Godejohn’s online fantasy life complicated the situation.

Gypsy’s defense team worked to understand the full scope of her life and Dee Dee’s deception. After obtaining Gypsy’s medical records, a plea deal was arranged.

Gypsy pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a 10-year sentence. In an interview with People magazine following her release, Gypsy reflected on her experience and expressed regret for her actions.

Gypsy said, “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 continued, “Or if I would travel back to just the point of that conversation with Nick and tell him, ‘You know what? I’m going to go tell the police everything.’ I kind of struggle with that.”

She acknowledged her mother’s illness and wished she had found another way to escape her situation. ​​”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,” she added. “She didn’t deserve that,” she continued.

Gypsy continued, “She 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.”

Gypsy plans to use her story to educate others about the dangers of resorting to violence in abusive relationships. “I want to make sure that people in abusive relationships do not resort to murder.”

Gypsy continued, “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.”

Since leaving prison, Gypsy has united with her husband, Ryan Anderson. Who she married in 2022, whilst serving her 10 year prison sentence. Ryan is a middle school elementary teacher from Louisiana.

The pair got to know one another when Ryan started to write to Gypsy whilst she was still in prison. He was inspired by a coworker who had written a letter to “Joe Exotic,” the imprisoned star of Netflix’s Tiger King.

The couple got their marriage license on June 27th, 2022. In late July, the pair held a prison wedding ceremony, and now that Gypsy is free, they’re planning a fairy tale wedding for their closest family and friends.

“I deserve that. He deserves that,” she told People last year. “Our prison wedding was just something to where we can make our vows to each other. It was something that meant something to us. And I think the party is kind of for everybody else.”

Ryan had actually bought Gypsy a beautiful ring that she never got to wear whilst in prison. Now that she has been released, she is free to wear this display of love, and even showed it off on her Instagram.

Gypsy posed with her gold and diamond ring on Instagram, along with a fresh French manicure. The 32-year-old gushed, “Finally, get to wear my beautiful wedding ring.”

Gypsy opened up about her future with kids, “It’s hard because I’m going into a new life, and I’m newly married, and I’m going to have kids one day,” she told People in December. She continued, “I’m going to have to explain to my kids why their grandmother on mommy’s side isn’t around. And that’s going to be a really hard conversation.”

But she vows to treat her kids better,”Whenever someone says, ‘Do you think that because of what you went through, you’re going to do that to your kids?’ I say, ‘You know what? Absolutely not,'” she shared. “I have no concerns about my parenting when it comes to that.”