THE MURDER OF DEE DEE BLANCHARD BY GYPSY ROSE BLANCHARD AND NICHOLAS GODEJOHN
Context
Claudine “Dee Dee” Blanchard was found stabbed to death in her home in Springfield, Missouri, on June 14, 2015. Her daughter, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who was believed to be severely ill and wheelchair-bound, was missing. Dee Dee had portrayed Gypsy as suffering from numerous chronic conditions including leukemia, muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, and developmental disorders. The community saw Dee Dee as a devoted mother, and Gypsy as a helpless child.
After Dee Dee's body was found, neighbors and the public feared Gypsy had been abducted.
Police Investigation
The investigation took a surprising turn when police traced a suspicious Facebook post made from Dee Dee’s account shortly after the murder. It led them to Nicholas Godejohn, a young man from Wisconsin who had been secretly communicating online with Gypsy for over two years.
Surveillance and digital evidence confirmed that Godejohn had traveled to Springfield, where he and Gypsy carried out a plan to kill Dee Dee so they could be together.
Gypsy was found safe with Godejohn in Wisconsin. Shockingly, she was able to walk and appeared healthy, contradicting everything her mother had claimed about her condition.
Potential Forensic Evidence
• Murder weapon: The knife used to kill Dee Dee was found in Nicholas Godejohn’s possession.
• Digital trail: Facebook messages, text conversations, and online activity showed the premeditated nature of the murder.
• Gypsy’s health records: Investigators uncovered falsified medical records. Doctors had previously suspected Munchausen syndrome by proxy but had not acted decisively.
• Autopsy report: Confirmed Dee Dee was killed with multiple stab wounds.
The forensic and digital evidence proved instrumental in understanding both the crime and the abuse Gypsy had endured.
Motive behind the Crime
The motive centered around years of abuse and control. Dee Dee had fabricated Gypsy’s illnesses for sympathy, financial aid, free trips, and housing. Gypsy was forced to undergo unnecessary medical treatments and use a wheelchair, even though she could walk.
As Gypsy matured, she began seeking independence and romantic companionship online. Her relationship with Nicholas Godejohn, a man with developmental issues and a criminal record, became her way out.
Together, they planned Dee Dee’s murder so they could escape and live freely.
Trial & Verdict
• Gypsy Rose Blanchard pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2016. Due to the abuse she suffered, she received a 10-year sentence with parole eligibility after 8 years. She was released in December 2023.
• Nicholas Godejohn went to trial in 2018. He was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Content Writer:- Srishti Dutta
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