Mental health advocates in Hennepin County, Minnesota, are urging for an examination of the connection between crime and mental health as serious juvenile crimes continue to rise. Meanwhile, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, infamous for her involvement in the murder of her abusive mother, has recently gained attention on social media following her release from prison. Posting a selfie to her Instagram account, which boasts nearly five million followers, the 32-year-old showcased her New Orleans Saints jersey with the caption, “Louisiana love. NFL game day!” Additionally, Blanchard expressed her gratitude towards her supporters and promoted her new documentary series, “Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard,” as well as her e-book, “Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom.”
Blanchard, who spent eight years in the Chillicothe Correctional Center, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for second-degree murder in 2016. However, she became eligible for parole after serving 85% of her sentence under Missouri law. Upon her release, Blanchard excitedly shared a selfie, proclaiming it as her “first selfie of freedom,” which garnered over six million likes. She also shared a photo of her kissing her husband, Ryan Scott Anderson, whom she married while still in prison.
The case revolves around Blanchard’s plot to have her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, murdered. Gypsy convinced an online boyfriend to carry out the act after her mother allegedly forced her to feign serious illnesses, such as leukemia and muscular dystrophy, for several years. In June 2015, Dee Dee Blanchard was found stabbed to death in their Springfield, Missouri home. Experts attribute Gypsy’s actions to years of psychological and physical abuse, as well as unnecessary surgeries and medical tests imposed on her by her mother.
Dee Dee Blanchard likely suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP), a mental illness in which an individual induces symptoms in another person to gain attention or material benefits. Gypsy expressed relief upon her release, stating that her previous life with her mother felt like a prison, where she was restricted from walking, eating, having friends, and enjoying a normal life. The documentary film “Mommy Dead and Dearest” and the Hulu mini-series “The Act” have both shed light on her captivating story and the murder of her mother.
As Gypsy Rose Blanchard embraces her newfound freedom, her posts on social media serve as a platform for her to express gratitude and connect with her supporters. With millions of followers, her story continues to captivate audiences worldwide, sparking conversations about the complexities of mental health, abuse, and the pursuit of justice.
