News 6th April 2023 by Stellar Magazine
Gypsy Rose Blanchard Could Be Released From Prison This Year
Here’s everything we know.
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It has been over four years since The Act was released on Hulu, but many of us have not forgotten the shocking case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard.
The dramatic series took the world by storm, detailing murder, mistreatment, and deception. Gypsy Rose Blanchard was at the centre of the unusual story and convicted for involvement in the murder of her mother, but where is she now and could she be released from prison soon?
Who is Gypsy Rose Blanchard?
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Gypsy Rose Blanchard was convicted of second-degree murder in 2016 for her role in the death of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. Gypsy’s case gained worldwide attention because of the unique circumstances surrounding the crime. Gypsy’s mother, Dee Dee, manipulated Gypsy, by telling her that she suffered from a range of illnesses and disabilities that she did not actually have. Her mother’s lies ensured Gypsy led a life of isolation, medical treatments, and abuse.
One night in June 2015, Gypsy and her then-boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn got their revenge. Nicholas stabbed Dee Dee 17 times in her sleep, while Gypsy waited in the other room. Gypsy Rose is currently serving a 10-year sentence at the Chillicothe Correctional Centre in Missouri, and according to prison officials, she will be eligible for parole in 2024.
Blanchard has expressed remorse for her actions, stating that she had no other choice but to kill her mother, as she believed it was the only way to escape the abuse she had suffered for years.
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Since her conviction, Blanchard has become somewhat of a public figure, with her story being the subject of numerous documentaries, podcasts, and books. Many have taken an interest in her case, sympathising with her circumstances and advocating for her release. However, others have criticised Blanchard for her role in the murder, arguing that she should serve the entirety of her sentence.
While in prison, Blanchard has completed her GED and is taking college courses. She has also become an advocate for prisoners with disabilities. Gypsy has also reported feeling freer than ever, saying she would take 10 years in prison over another 10 years with her mother.
When is her release?
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It remains unclear whether Blanchard will be released on parole in 2024 or serve out her full sentence. Fox News recently reported that Blanchard could be released as early as December 2023, but Gypsy’s family friends have been expressing their concerns at this news. Family friend Fancy Marcelli told InTouch that Gypsy should finish her full sentence and she is merely putting on “a show for the board.”
Gypsy Rose’s case is a complicated one, and the decision ultimately lies with the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole. However, her story has shed light on the dangers of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSP) and the ways in which children can be victimised by their parents. Her experiences have also sparked important conversations about emotional abuse and psychological manipulation.
Gypsy previously wrote that she wants to use her experience to help others who have been victims of MSP, a behavioural condition whereby the main caregiver, usually the mother, fabricates a serious illness or disease as a way to get attention. MSP is very rare and the causes are unknown.
By Zana Zee Keough