Gypsy Rose Blanchard, Set to Be Freed From Prison, Regrets Murdering Mother: 'She Didn’t Deserve That'
After spending eight years behind bars, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, the notorious victim of Munchausen by proxy, is set to be released from prison on December 28. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, she delves into the haunting events of June 2015 when she, along with her then-boyfriend Nicholas 'Nick' Godejohn, orchestrated the murder of her mother, Dee Dee. Gypsy's story gained global attention, inspiring Hollywood adaptations like HBO's 'Mommy Dead and Dearest' and Hulu's 'The Act.' As she prepares to share her side of the narrative in Lifetime's upcoming docuseries, 'The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard,' premiering on January 5, Gypsy opens up about her deep remorse and newfound sense of forgiveness.
The Dark Years of Deception
By the age of seven, Gypsy found herself entangled in a web of deception meticulously woven by her mother, Dee Dee. Diagnosing her with various fabricated illnesses, including muscular dystrophy and leukemia, Dee Dee subjected Gypsy to unnecessary medical treatments and portrayed her as a disabled child, confining her to a wheelchair. Friends and family were deceived, and doctors unwittingly contributed to the charade.
Escaping the Shackles of Abuse
Gypsy's life became a nightmare as she faced relentless physical and mental abuse, coupled with a lack of education and social exposure. Sheltered from the outside world, she lived in a Disney movie reality, oblivious to the warning signs of her mother's manipulative behavior. Desperation reached its peak when Gypsy, facing another needless medical procedure on her larynx, attempted to run away, only to be tracked down and deemed incompetent by her mother.
A Desperate Decision
With no apparent escape from her mother's control, Gypsy found solace in an online relationship with Nicholas Godejohn. Fueled by his unwavering commitment to protect her, a fateful conversation led to the decision to end Dee Dee's life. Godejohn carried out the deadly attack, resulting in a life sentence for him and a profound sense of guilt and remorse for Gypsy.
Reflection and Remorse
Years of reflection, self-work, and therapy have brought Gypsy to a point of deep remorse. Despite Godejohn's claims that he would repeat the act to save her, Gypsy firmly believes her mother didn't deserve such a fate. Recognizing Dee Dee's sickness and her own lack of understanding at the time, Gypsy acknowledges that her mother should have faced the consequences of her actions, rather than Gypsy herself enduring imprisonment for criminal behavior.
A Path to Redemption
In a surprising turn of events, Gypsy was granted parole in September, two years before the completion of her 10-year sentence for second-degree murder. As she braces for the inevitable scrutiny and the glaring spotlight awaiting her upon release, Gypsy looks forward to reuniting with her father and stepmother, who have steadfastly stood by her side throughout this harrowing journey.
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