Gypsy Rose Blanchard says murder of mother was ‘only way out’ of abuse

Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who spent eight years behind bars for her involvement in the killing of her abusive mother, has expressed her wish for her story to serve as a “cautionary tale”. The interview marked her first television appearance post-release. At 32, Blanchard was found guilty of second-degree murder, following the stabbing death of her mother, “Dee Dee” Blanchard in 2015. Reports revealed that the mother subjected the daughter to pretend severe illness and go through unnecessary medical treatments. Experts suggest that Dee Dee suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, characterized by a caretaker feigning or exaggerating the child’s medical condition.

Blanchard was forced into using a feeding tube and wheelchair, which were not needed. She was also physically abused and chained to her bed. Speaking on ABC’s Good Morning America which aired on Friday, Blanchard desired her story to “prevent the next person in a similar situation from choosing the path” she did.

Blanchard didn't characterize her mother as a monster, acknowledging instead her mother's inner struggles. She emphasized that her intention was not her mother’s death but to escape her situation.

Her mother was discovered fatally stabbed in her Springfield, Missouri, residence in 2015. The accused, Blanchard’s then-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, wielded the knife Blanchard provided and committed the act while she hid in the bathroom.

Upon pleading guilty to second-degree murder, national attention was drawn to the case due to the revelations of the abuse she endured. Dee Dee misled family members by asserting that her daughter had muscular dystrophy and required a wheelchair, also, deceiving them about Gypsy’s age and other medical conditions.

Godejohn, whom Blanchard encountered online, is serving a life sentence with no parole eligibility. In the interview, Blanchard responded to a question of fairness regarding their sentencing stating, “We both have a lot of regrets. I did my time, [and] he’s doing his time for his part. And I wish him well on his journey.”

Blanchard confessed being addicted to painkillers and being under influence while planning and committing the murder with Godejohn. Despite this, she shuns blaming drugs or anything else for her actions, refraining from making excuses.

Blanchard, whose sobriety she credits to her time in prison, has gained notable recognition since her release from the Chillicothe correctional center in Missouri on December 28.