Share this @internewscast.com

Gypsy Rose Blanchard, the child abuse victim who was convicted of killing her mother, has been released from prison, starting 2024 as a free woman.

Blanchard, 32, was released from the Chillicothe Correctional Center in Chillicothe, Missouri, on Dec. 28 at 3:30 a.m., a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Corrections said, three years before her original release date.

On Dec. 29, Blanchard shared her first post to Instagram since her release the day before, a mirror photo that appears to be taken at a place she’s residing. “First selfie of freedom!” she captioned the picture.

That same day, Blanchard was photographed in public for the first time since her release. She appeared to be shopping with her husband, Ryan Scott Anderson, 37, whom she reportedly married in 2022 while in prison, according to the Springfield News-Leader.

Asked by paparazzi if she has immediate plans for the future, she replied, “Lots of ‘em.”

In 2016, Blanchard was sentenced to 10 years in prison for her role in the the murder of her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, who was stabbed to death the year before by Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s then-boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard is believed to have been a victim of Munchhausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder in which a caretaker makes someone ill or creates the illusion of them being ill in order to receive attention, the Springfield News-Leader reported.

On the stand, Gypsy Rose Blanchard described how her mother took her to doctors throughout her life to treat her for various conditions, including leukemia and muscular dystrophy, that she never actually had.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard detailed how her mother forced her to use both a wheelchair and an oxygen tank although she required neither, according to the Springfield News-Leader.

In a televised interview with Dr. Phil McGraw in 2017, Blanchard expressed her regret over her mother’s death.

“I have to pray to forgive my mother, but right now the hardest thing is to forgive myself,” she said.

The bizarre case also inspired several documentaries and a limited series on Hulu starring Joey King and Patricia Arquette.

During her time in prison, Blanchard reportedly married a man named Ryan Scott Anderson in 2022, the Springfield News-Leader reported at the time, but she has not publicly spoken about it.

She also has written a book that will be published in January called “Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom.”

Her stepmother, Kristy Blanchard, told NewsNation that the family is looking forward to belatedly celebrating Christmas with Gypsy Rose Blanchard after she is released.

Here’s what to know about Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s case.

Who is Gypsy Rose Blanchard?

Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her then-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, were arrested in 2015 in connection to the murder of Blanchard’s mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, who was found stabbed to death in her home in Springfield, Missouri.

During her trial, Gypsy Rose Blanchard admitted that she arranged for Godejohn to travel to the family’s home in Springfield to kill her mother, according to Ozarks First.

After the murder, the couple traveled to Godejohn’s home in Wisconsin, where they were arrested days later. 

What did Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s mother do to her?

Dee Dee Blanchard appeared to have had Munchhausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder in which a caretaker makes someone ill or creates the illusion of them being ill in order to receive attention.

Dee Dee Blanchard “was convinced Gypsy suffered from a wide range of health issues,” according to Ozarks First. She took her daughter to various specialists to get treatment for her alleged ailments, “including prescriptions for anti-seizure medication and surgeries.”

In addition to forcing her daughter to use a wheelchair and an oxygen tank, neither of which she needed, Dee Dee Blanchard shaved her daughter’s head and forced her to eat through a feeding tube, Gypsy Rose Blanchard told McGraw in their 2017 interview.

After Hurricane Katrina, the mother-daughter duo relocated to Aurora, Missouri, where Dee Dee Blanchard told doctors her ailing daughter’s medical records had been destroyed by the hurricane, according to Ozarks First.

A local Habitat for Humanity group built a wheelchair-accessible house in Springfield for the Blanchards in 2008.

The mother and daughter were also the subject of donations and gifts, including a trip to Disney World, from various charitable groups in the community.

The pair also met country singer Miranda Lambert through the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Ozarks First reported.

Didn’t doctors suspect that Dee Dee Blanchard was lying?

Some doctors pushed back on Dee Dee Blanchard’s claims of her daughter’s various illnesses.

Dr. Bernardo Flasterstein, a neurologist in Missouri, began to suspect Dee Dee Blanchard’s claim that her daughter had been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in Louisiana when he noticed no abnormalities in her MRIs and blood tests, Ozarks First reported.

Flasterstein contacted Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s doctors in Louisiana and learned her original original muscle biopsy to test for MS came back negative.

Were Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Nicholas Godejohn both convicted of murder?

Nicholas Godejohn was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison after first pleading not guilty. He stabbed Dee Dee Blanchard to death while Gypsy Rose Blanchard hid in a bathroom.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard made a deal with Greene County prosecutor Dan Patterson, who took into account the abuse she had suffered at her mother’s hand, reported Ozarks First. 

She pled guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

When was Gypsy Rose Blanchard originally going to be released from prison?

Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s release in December will come after she has served seven years of her original 10-year sentence, the Missouri Department of Corrections confirmed to TODAY.com.

Were there TV specials about the case?

In 2017, HBO aired a documentary about the Blanchard’s case, called “Mommy Dead and Dearest.” The film included interviews with both Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Nick Godejohn.

In 2018, Investigation Discovery aired “Gypsy’s Revenge,” a two-hour special documentary about the case that featured interviews with Blanchard and Godejohn.

In 2019, Hulu aired an eight-part true crime series inspired by the case starring Joey King as Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Patricia Arquette as Dee Dee Blanchard.

The same year, Lifetime aired a movie dramatizing the case as “inspired by true events” called “Love You To Death.”

Gypsy Rose gave a statement to Bustle after the release of “The Act,” saying, “I am unable to watch The Act. However, I feel it is very unfair and unprofessional that producers and co-producer Michelle Dean has used my actual name and story without my consent, and the life rights to do so. Therefore, there will be legal action taken against the show’s creators. I want to share my story and bring awareness about Munchausen by proxy, in the hopes that I can encourage those who might be experiencing abuse to speak up, because someone WILL listen. No child should ever be abused especially from their parent.”

Dean, who wrote the viral Buzzfeed article about Gypsy Rose Blanchard and created “The Act,” said to Elle, “The show’s not a work of journalism.” She continued, “You don’t need to pick up any information from it, but we thought the entire show should be grounded in the emotional journeys of the characters.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
4th of July fireworks: Non-residents must pay $8-10 fee to attend South Holland holiday display, village officials say

South Holland Charges $8-10 Admission Fee for Non-Residents to Attend 4th of July Fireworks Display, Officials Announce

SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (WLS) — Those planning to go to the South…
David Peterson bounces back to lead Mets in series win over Brewers

David Peterson Shines as Mets Secure Series Victory Against Brewers

A good start can do a lot. It can provide cover for…
Good Samaritan rescues 9-year-old kidnapped along Jacksonville road, police say

Police Report: Kind Stranger Saves 9-Year-Old Kidnapped on Jacksonville Road

Authorities reported that 22-year-old Mikaya Williams forced the child into her car…
Michael Madsen, known for roles in 'Reservoir Dogs,' 'Kill Bill' films, dies at 67

Actor Michael Madsen, Known for ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill,’ Passes Away at 67

Michael Madsen, famous for his intense roles in Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs”…
Nassau County deputies arrested on time theft charges

Nassau County Deputies Charged with Time Theft

The sheriff’s office reported that the arrests followed an investigation lasting over…
Michael Madsen, known for roles in 'Reservoir Dogs,' 'Kill Bill' films, dies at 67

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Passes Away at 67

MALIBU, Calif. (KABC) — Actor Michael Madsen, known for roles in “Reservoir…
Colorado man sentenced to life in prison for DUI that killed Air Force veteran, injured his children

Colorado Resident Receives Life Sentence for Fatal DUI Accident Involving Air Force Veteran and Injuring His Kids

A Colorado man found guilty of killing an Air Force veteran while…
Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut hopes for a comeback victory in annual Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest

Joey ‘Jaws’ Chestnut Aims for a Triumphant Return at the Annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

NEW YORK (AP) — The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog…
New Orleans cop and Army Reservist Wildelis Rosa dies after undergoing Brazilian butt lift in Miami

Tragic Passing of New Orleans Officer and Army Reservist After Cosmetic Procedure in Miami

A young police officer from New Orleans has passed away a few…
Chicago police, Mayor Brandon Johnson address safety concerns for July 4, 2025 weekend after River North mass shooting

Chicago Police and Mayor Brandon Johnson Tackle Safety Issues for July 4, 2025, Weekend Following River North Shooting

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago leaders on Thursday addressed concerns about safety during…
US Post Office truck parked on a residential street.

USPS Workers Are Delivering a Common Household Item to Your Mailbox – Why Leaving It Could Be Safer

THERE may be a common household item sitting loose in your mailbox…
Large plume of smoke billowing near parked cars.

Massive Explosion Rocks Rome Petrol Station, Injuring Over 21 People

A HORRIFYING incident unfolded as a petrol station in Rome erupted into…