Last week, Gypsy Rose Blanchard was released on parole after serving eight years in prison for her role in her mother, Dee Dee’s, murder. If you aren’t familiar with the story, Gypsy was a victim of Munchausen by proxy syndrome. At the time of her murder, Dee Dee had convinced everyone that a then-24-year-old Gypsy was a terminally ill teenager with the mind of a seven-year-old who suffered from leukemia, muscular dystrophy, and other fake diagnoses that she used to defraud people and charities. She was able to get away with it by constantly changing doctors, moving across state lines, and using Hurricane Katrina to explain away missing medical records. In 2015, Gypsy convinced a boyfriend to stab her mother. She pleaded guilty to second degree murder and, in 2016, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Her ex-boyfriend received a life sentence. There’s a lot more details that you can read about here.
After Gypsy was released on December 28, she took to Instagram and TikTok to announce her freedom. In a series of posts, she released selfies and other images of her homecoming. Gypsy, who got married in 2022, also posted a video thanking people for their support and giving an update about what’s coming up next for her. The Lifetime docuseries, The Prison Confessions of Gyspy Rose Blanchard premieres on Friday, January 5. On January 9th, an ebook, titled, “Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom,” will drop.
“Hey everyone, this is Gypsy. I’m finally free,” the 32-year-old said in a video posted to TikTok and her official Instagram on Sunday. “I just wanted to send a quick video to thank everyone for the massive amount of support that I’ve been getting on social media, everyone has been really, really nice and supportive and I really appreciate that.”
She’s outside in the video, wearing a New Orleans Saints NFL Jersey, her brown hair down and makeup on her face.
“It’s nice to be home. I’m back home in Louisiana, enjoying a beautiful day outside and I’ve got a lot of great things happening really soon,” Blanchard continued. She’s been active on social media since her release, posting selfies and images from her homecoming celebration to her platforms, but Sunday marked the first time she spoke to the public in a video.
Blanchard told her followers about her upcoming Lifetime docuseries, The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, which begins on Jan. 5. She also mentioned her upcoming book, Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom, which she said she’s “super proud of.”
“It’s not a rehashing of everything that happened, it’s more of my reflection of everything that I’ve learned and experienced in the last 8.5 years,” she said. “Again, just thank you guys for all the support, and keep watching. Okay, bye,” a smiling Blanchard concluded the video.
I haven’t watched any of the interviews, documentaries or series about the Blanchard case – I mainly read about it – and don’t really plan on reading her book or watching the Lifetime series. I’ll skim through articles about them, though, to see if I find anything of interest. I hope she doesn’t fall into a trap where she feels like her only option is to monetize what happened to her and it prevents her from moving forward. Her entire story is just so disturbing from start to finish. I cannot imagine what Gypsy has been through as a victim of emotional, medical, and physical abuse. I think all of the grown-ups in her life failed her. There were doctors with suspicions that never raised alarm bells. I also think on some level they failed Dee Dee, too, because that woman was an abusive monster who needed some serious help and to be held accountable via prison. I honestly hope that Gypsy received top-notch therapy in prison and put in the work to fully heal. I also hope that she has a great support system now and a good mental health plan in place.
I feel a little nervous about all the media attention she is getting. I just feel like it could all go downhill fast for anyone, let alone someone as sheltered and traumatised as Gypsy.
Agree. I feel nervous for her. The attention she’s receiving right now would be overwhelming for anyone, much less someone who’s been through what she’s experienced. I wish her well.
Same. TMZ especially is trying to make her a thing. They were even pushing for her to meet Taylor Swift. It’s making me EXTREMELY uncomfortable.
Same. I also can’t not think about her ex who got a life sentence, won’t get book deals, interviews, or you know, parole for helping her getting out of an absolutely terrible situation.
He wanted and planned to rape her mother, and Gypsy had to talk him out of it and offer to have sex with him practically over her dead body as a compromise for not letting him rape her mum. (Gypsy later claimed that he raped her.)
He admitted that having sex around killing was a sexual fantasy for him. He wasn’t some good Samaritan who was just trying to rescue an abuse victim, he got off sexually on killing.
He also has an IQ of 82, multiple mental issues and the funds of a low-income person so we can take all his “admissions” with skepticism. I’m not saying he is an exemplarycitizen, but life without parole PLUS 25 years is an unfair sentence given the situation (and in any situation really, sentences longer than life should not exist. And there should be a possibility of parole at some point; might not be granted, but the possibility needs to be there)
Two things can be true about both of them. Both had serious mental health issues, Gypsy Rose was in an incredibly dangerous situation, and her boyfriend was easily manipulated into committing first degree murder.
Perhaps if she had met someone more stable she would have pursued legal means to free herself. It’s all just very sad.
I agree with all of you, she looks like she’s trapped in a cycle of being overexposed. First by her mother for many years and now by media like TMZ that are using her. It’s very difficult to witness.
I hope she gets exactly that. She’s also toxic. What about the boy? Lots of us have been abused for years, most of us don’t kill people. Please. I pray she gets what she deserves. I feel for the low iq person she manipulated.
I assume she’s received fairly comprehensive medical and mental health treatment the last 8 years. Her experiences were so brutal and horrific I can’t imagine her only plans revolve around speaking to her past. It wouldn’t be sustainable for her, I’m sure she’s considered that.
She has served her time now so I hope she can find a fulfilling path for herself, as someone who likely never considered a future for much of her young life.
I really hope so. Perhaps prison provided her with enough structure to start to work out how to live independently while not being left completely to her own devices.
I can understand the drive to monetise her experience and hope this is a stepping stone for her to get on and live her own life rather then being tied to her past.
She was in an American prison. I can assure you she did not receive comprehensive or even superficial mental health treatment. Incarcerated individuals may be offered group therapy sessions but they are voluntary and often run by other inmates. She is not prepared for the media circus and without a strong network of people to guide and support her, she is vulnerable to exploitation. I hope somebody out there can help her before it’s too late. She’s suffered enough already.
I was thinking the same thing – there is no way she received “top notch” mental health treatment in prison.
What a terrible and tragic situation all around.
Barnabus and Mcmmom are absolutely right – there is no adequate mental health treatment in US prisons. I doubt Gypsy’s medical treatment was even adequate. Inmate-managed support groups might even be in doubt – high profile inmates are often “administratively segregated” from others. Plus, what could she say? TMZ has all but advertised they will pay for “insider” info.
Sadly, I agree with you 100%. This poor young woman!
She went to prison for conspiracy to commit murder, correct?
From what I recall there were a few drs who tried to report Dee Dee but either were told that the family was beyond reproach and if they kept at it it would be their career. She had so many people fooled at so many levels.
Between this and epstein I think these “hoodwinked” people don’t care. They wanted to be a part of dee dee story so they told the Dr’s who suspected to shut up. They turn away from issues because they want to say “I worked on a famous case” and “of course it was real I would’ve caught it if it was fake”.
Here is a story I can contribute regarding this topic. (Details changed for patient privacy)
I worked with a patient who was in the same situation as GR, except much more extreme.
Due to their parent’s mental illness, the patient was 5’4 and 53lbs in their early 20s. The patient had multiple stays and studies at prestigious medical centers.
The patient’s parent was incredibly adept at navigating appointments, only providing very specific parts of medical records. There were claims that records weren’t available, or if a doctor pressed too much would just switch providers and refuse to release those records to anyone.
Once the parent passed away from a sudden illness, the patient gained access to their medical records. It was FREQUENTLY documented by medical professionals that the situation was suspicious, but there are limitations to what any entity could do regarding an investigation.
(Follow up, the patient is alive, doing well, but still has to engage in intense psychiatric treatment, even may years later)
I can’t believe she was convicted, and the boyfriend should not have gotten life in prison. She was too sheltered to just leave on her own, and her mom may have been able to prevent it. That young man very likely saved Gypsy’s life. Although he would have to serve some time, you can’t just run around stabbing people.
Yes she had a horrible life with her mother that is extremely clear. I am however tired already of hearing about her and her wanting to do this and meet so and so. Yes she did her time but the boyfriend she had help her is in for life. It’s a tragic story. She got married in prison and I don’t know it seems this guy wants to monetize her life. She needs continuing counseling.
I think tmz is setting her up to fail. Its just something sinister there. Maybe they want to help but they are doing it in an obnoxious way. I hope she gets a jump on life and slowly get away from The limelight.
What’s the deal with the husband. The father and step mother seems OK with him. Have to wonder is he calling tmz. Is he pushing this Taylor swift.
Her release is the first I’ve heard of this. I’m assuming there’s a reason the boyfriend got life. And how is she married? Is that who set up all the media deals? So many questions, guess I need to do some research! Happy she’s free. Hope she heals.
The reason is, the boyfriend went to trial and was convicted of first degree murder. Gypsy took a plea deal for second degree murder and 10 years. Her husband is a teacher. I just hope his intentions are good.
Why WOULDN’T the boyfriend get life? He murdered someone.
Do you know how many traumatized people are on death row? People who were abused and had absolutely horrific childhoods? People with mental incapacity? Yet this woman/girl put a hit out on her mother and now she’s a freaking celebrity.
So the boy gets life? Is that the story? Pretty young woman. I hope she gets exactly what she deserves.