Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s story captured national attention in 2015 when it was revealed that Gypsy, then 23 years old, conspired with her boyfriend to kill her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. The murder exposed Dee Dee’s history of fabricating and exaggerating Gypsy’s alleged illnesses and disabilities, including leukemia, muscular dystrophy, and intellectual disabilities. While Gypsy ultimately pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, her extreme circumstances have led many to question her sentence and when she might be eligible for release.
What Were the Details of Gypsy’s Crimes?
In June 2015, Dee Dee Blanchard was found stabbed to death in her Missouri home. Suspicion quickly turned to her daughter Gypsy and Gypsy’s boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn. Investigators discovered that Gypsy had been communicating online with Godejohn and persuaded him to travel from his home in Wisconsin to kill her mother. On the night of the murder, Godejohn stabbed Dee Dee to death while Gypsy hid in the bathroom. Afterward, Gypsy and Godejohn fled to Wisconsin, where they were eventually apprehended by police.
Gypsy initially claimed she had no involvement in her mother’s murder but eventually accepted a plea deal. In July 2016, she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Godejohn was convicted of first-degree murder in November 2018 and received a life sentence.
What Punishment Did Gypsy Receive for the Murder?
In July 2016, Gypsy Rose Blanchard accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. As part of the deal, prosecutors recommended a 10-year prison sentence. The judge agreed, and Gypsy received the minimum sentence for second-degree murder in Missouri of 10 years in prison.
She was not convicted of any other crimes related to her mother’s death. For example, she was not charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, or tampering with evidence. The plea deal allowed her to avoid a lengthy trial and the possibility of a harsher sentence if convicted.
Why Did Gypsy Receive a Lenient Sentence?
There are several reasons why Gypsy received a relatively lenient 10-year sentence for her role in her mother’s premeditated murder:
- She was a victim of abuse: Although Gypsy was 23 years old, investigators found she had the mental capacity of a young teenager due to her mother’s control and fabrication of her illness. The abuse and manipulation she suffered her whole life was a mitigating factor.
- She took a plea deal: By accepting a plea bargain, Gypsy took responsibility for her actions. This spared the court a lengthy trial and provided closure for the victim’s family. Prosecutors likely saw the plea as justice being served.
- The murder was not premeditated: While Gypsy did ask Godejohn to kill her mother, prosecutors determined she did not plot the murder in advance. This lowered the charge to second-degree murder.
- She had no criminal history: The murder of her mother was Gypsy’s first criminal offense. Her clean record prior to the crime may have inclined prosecutors to be more lenient.
- She had public sympathy: Many in the public felt sympathetic to Gypsy after learning of the years of medical child abuse she endured from her mother. This may have contributed to a lighter prison sentence.
What Was Gypsy’s Life Like Before the Murder?
Gypsy Rose Blanchard spent her entire childhood being treated as if she was ill and disabled due to her mother Dee Dee’s fabrications. Some key details about her life prior to her mother’s murder include:
- Born in 1991 in Louisiana, Gypsy’s birth name was Clauddine Blanchard. Her family called her Gypsy from a young age.
- As a baby, Gypsy reportedly had sleep apnea requiring a feeding tube. Dee Dee began exaggerating the extent of her health issues shortly after.
- Dee Dee claimed Gypsy had chromosomal defects and muscular dystrophy that left her wheelchair-bound. She purported Gypsy had the mental capacity of a 7 year old due to her illnesses.
- Gypsy underwent numerous unnecessary medical procedures, including having her salivary glands treated for supposed problems.
- Dee Dee controlled every aspect of Gypsy’s life, homeschooled her, and did not allow her to have friends or leave the house alone.
- The pair relied entirely on charity and social services. Dee Dee expertly manipulated people into believing Gypsy was gravely ill.
- In 2012, Dee Dee and Gypsy relocated from Louisiana to Missouri after Hurricane Katrina. The deception continued, with Gypsy posing as younger than her actual age.
Did Prison Officials Know About Gypsy’s Background When She Was Sentenced?
Yes, prison officials were certainly aware of the extent of Gypsy Rose’s traumatic upbringing and victimization at the hands of her mother when she was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
In 2016, Gypsy’s case made national news. All of the details about Dee Dee’s medical abuse came out during the investigation, including multiple doctors who questioned the necessity of Gypsy’s various medications and treatments. A wide range of medical records proved most of Gypsy’s alleged conditions were unfounded.
Additionally, Gypsy’s attorney was able to present a great deal of evidence about her mental incapacitation. This included testimony from doctors about the consequences of the prolonged deception on Gypsy’s psychological development.
Ultimately, the plea deal was offered by prosecutors after reviewing the enormous file of documented abuse. Therefore, prison officials knew the context behind Gypsy’s involvement in her mother’s murder when she entered the correctional system.
Where is Gypsy Rose Imprisoned Now?
Gypsy Rose Blanchard is currently incarcerated at the Chillicothe Correctional Center in Chillicothe, Missouri. This is the location where she was sentenced to 10 years in prison in July 2016 after accepting a plea bargain and pleading guilty to second-degree murder.
Some key details about her incarceration include:
- Chillicothe Correctional Center is a women’s prison with minimum to maximum security facilities.
- The prison can house over 1,600 offenders. It offers rehabilitation and education programs.
- Gypsy is reported to be housed in the general population among other offenders.
- As of 2022, she is approximately halfway through her 10 year sentence. With credit for good behavior, she could potentially be released slightly early.
- In prison interviews, Gypsy has stated she has been able to have better nutrition and improve her health during her incarceration.
- She has also said she has matured emotionally and takes full accountability for her role in her mother’s murder.
What Year Will Gypsy be Eligible for Parole or Release?
Gypsy Rose is currently scheduled to be released from prison sometime in 2026, after serving 85% of her 10 year sentence. Here is an overview of when she could be eligible for parole or release:
- In Missouri, prisoners convicted of violent crimes must serve at least 85% of their sentence before being eligible for parole.
- Gypsy received her 10 year sentence in 2016. Factoring in the 85% minimum, the earliest she can be released is in 2026.
- With maximum credit for good behavior, she may be released in 2026 when she will be approximately 35 years old.
- However, if she loses any good conduct credit due to prison violations, her release date could extend into 2027.
- The final decision on parole will be determined by the Missouri Department of Corrections parole board.
- Upon release she will likely be required to complete a term of parole supervision.
Could Gypsy’s Sentence Potentially Be Reduced Before 2026?
It is unlikely that Gypsy Rose will be able to get her 10 year prison sentence further reduced or changed to probation before her scheduled release in 2026.
There are very limited options in Missouri for inmates to get sentence reductions after they have already begun serving their term. Some possible avenues that likely would not apply include:
- Sentence re-examination: Only applies to excessive sentences. Gypsy’s 10 years is the minimum so it would not be eligible.
- Compassionate release: Generally only for terminally ill or severely incapacitated inmates requiring intense care outside prison. Gypsy currently does not qualify.
- Retroactive law changes: Sentence reductions are only given if the law at the time is changed to be less harsh. No relevant changes have occurred.
- Governor pardon or commutation: Extremely rare. Only a handful are approved each year in Missouri. The seriousness of Gypsy’s crime makes clemency very unlikely.
Barring new legislation that specifically addresses her unique situation, Gypsy will almost certainly remain in prison until at least 2026.
What Will Happen to Gypsy When She is Released from Prison?
When Gypsy Rose Blanchard is released from prison sometime around 2026, she will be around 35 years old and will have to restart her life after 10 years of incarceration. Some possibilities for her post-release life include:
- Parole supervision: She will likely have a parole period where she must check in with an officer, hold a job, obey laws, etc. This may last several years. Violations could send her back to prison.
- Restitution payments: Gypsy may be required to pay restitution to her late mother’s estate or relatives. This could be in the form of garnished wages.
- Mental health treatment: She may continue counseling or evaluations, especially if it is required by parole. Overall, her mental health is reportedly much improved in prison.
- Employment difficulties: Finding a job with a felony murder conviction will be challenging. Vocational training in prison could assist with employability.
- Public curiosity: Gypsy’s case retains public intrigue. She may face ongoing attention and even interview requests upon her release.
- Civil lawsuit: Members of her mother’s family may consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit against Gypsy for additional justice or restitution.
- Keeping a low profile: After so many difficult years in the spotlight, Gypsy may wish to simply move somewhere she can live very privately away from her past.
Conclusion
Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s upbringing was marked by extensive medical child abuse that made her emotionally and developmentally stunted. While this does not excuse her role in her mother’s premeditated murder, it provides critical context that led to her relatively lenient 10 year prison sentence.
Barring any unexpected changes, Gypsy will remain incarcerated at least until 2026 when she will be eligible for release at age 35. The requirements of her parole and challenges of adjusting after so long in prison will make her path forward uncertain. However, many continue to hope that after receiving intensive counseling and treatment while incarcerated, Gypsy will eventually be able to find some measure of a stable adult life