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The American Gypsy Blanchard (32) will be released from prison on Thursday. There is currently a heated discussion raging online about her release. Blanchard had her mother murdered in 2015 and was sentenced to ten years in prison after confessing. After about 8 years, she is now being released early.
The case divides opinion. On the one hand, Gypsy Blanchard confessed to soliciting her then-boyfriend Nick Godejohn to murder. On the other hand, she has endured years of abuse. Mother Dee Dee Blanchard is said to have suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy – a mental disorder in which people mimic or induce illnesses in other people to obtain medical treatment.
Dee Dee gained attention and control over her daughter. She manipulated gypsies, doctors, charities, friends and relatives. She also kept her daughter largely in isolation.
Long list of fake diseases
Gypsy was portrayed by her mother as mentally handicapped and had to undergo several medical treatments that were not necessary. For example, according to American media, her salivary glands were removed after Dee Dee gave her daughter an anesthetic that caused her to drool. In the same way, the gypsy was fed through a stomach tube for no reason.
Dee Dee also regularly shaved her daughter’s head to maintain the impression that Gypsy had leukemia. The gypsy, who was actually completely healthy, is said to have suffered from muscular dystrophy, so her mother put her in a wheelchair. The mother even falsified her daughter’s age.
Dee Dee managed to trick the doctors by telling them that her daughter’s medical records had been destroyed during a hurricane. As soon as the doctors started listening and asking questions, she changed doctors.
“There was always an excuse”
As Gypsy grew older, she realized something was wrong. The now 32-year-old told People: “Of course I knew I could walk and didn’t need a feeding tube, but everything else was a complete confusion to me. There was always an excuse. I expressed my concerns and she became very irritated and started manipulating me.” When she was a teenager, Dee Dee also allegedly insulted, hit and kicked her. “It was very much like a domestic violence relationship.”
The gypsy nevertheless began to rebel and secretly registered on a dating portal, where she met Godejohn. She told him about her suffering – and convinced him to take action. Gypsy told People: “I really wanted to get out of this situation. I really tried to find another way.”
“I still love my mother”
Gypsy gave her then-boyfriend a knife and hid in the bathroom while he stabbed her mother repeatedly. The couple then tried to escape, but without success. Just a few days later they were arrested. Godejohn was sentenced to life in prison.
Today Gypsy regrets the crime. She told the newspaper: “I still love my mother. And I’m starting to understand that maybe it was something she had no control over, like an addict with an impulse. This helps me come to terms with what happened and accept it.” Godejohn, on the other hand, said he would do it again to free Gypsy from Dee Dee’s clutches, according to media reports.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
