Gypsy Rose Blanchard, the 32-year-old victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, has recently been released from prison after pleading guilty to her role in her mother’s murder.
MSBP is a psychological disorder in which a caretaker purposefully makes or keeps someone ill. In this case, Gypsy’s mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, kept her daughter sick and ensured she appeared ill to the public eye.
Gypsy was a victim of her mother’s abuse her entire childhood — being overmedicated and having to undergo unnecessary medical procedures for decades. She had her salivary glands removed, was placed in a wheelchair and even had a feeding tube put in — none of which were necessary. Gypsy’s teeth eventually began to rot, most likely the result of her missing salivary glands or the improperly diagnosed medications and had to be removed.
Doctors who suspected MSBP never officially reported anything, which further prolonged the Gypsy’s suffering. Whenever medical staff questioned Gypsy’s illnesses, she and her mother would switch doctors or hospitals.
The Blanchards lost their home due to Hurricane Katrina, and they received assistance to relocate to Missouri, later having a home built by Habitat for Humanity. Here, Gypsy’s mother continued the abuse and now had an excuse for any missing medical files or documentation. They continued receiving benefits sponsored by charities because of Gypsy’s illness. They had free trips to theme parks, concerts and other events.
Gypsy later plotted and carried out the murder of her mother with help from her then-boyfriend, whom she met online. Gypsy met him and convinced him to kill her mother so they could be together. Afterward, she pled guilty in court to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
As of Dec. 28, 2023, Gypsy is a free woman, released from prison on good behavior after completing 85 percent of her ten-year sentence, and has united with her husband, Ryan Anderson.
Thousands of fans made edits and countdowns to her release which flooded social media sites such as TikTok and Instagram, creating the following for Gypsy. Since then, Gypsy’s “First selfie of freedom” post has gained over six million likes and two hundred thousand comments.
She has continued to post more photos and videos, keeping her fans up-to-date with her life. These posts are also promoting the launch of her new docu-series, “The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard,” which describes her journey as a survivor of MSBP and the abuse she endured during her childhood.
Some think that Gypsy is not worthy of receiving so much attention online. They label Gypsy as a killer and a violent criminal or one with too much trauma to hold a following responsibly. While Gypsy may have a negative past, she has served her sentenced time and spent those years learning from past mistakes.
Gypsy’s following is a positive thing; she can serve as a major advocate for MSBP victims and survivors, ensuring witnesses know what signs to look for and that victims know they are not alone.
Gypsy’s story sheds light on many sensitive topics — abusive relationships, undiagnosed mental disorders, manipulation among others. As she becomes a household name, her story starts conversations that challenge stigmas and encourage compassion.
Gypsy continues to stand in the spotlight of social media and the publicity she receives will allow her to expand her audience and continue fighting for change. The firsthand experience and accountability Gypsy provides to the public keeps people informed and aware. Even during Gypsy’s incarceration, she took multiple self-improvement courses, showing her dedication to change. Gypsy shows how much one can go through and still be resilient when faced with adversity.
