Gypsy Rose Blanchard: How Long Was She In Prison & What Now?

Noelia Yost 11 May 2025

How does a life sentence begin, not with a crime, but with a childhood steeped in deception and manipulation? Gypsy Rose Blanchard's story, a narrative of abuse, manipulation, and ultimately, a shocking act of violence, continues to captivate and confound, even after her release from prison.

The chilling details of Gypsy Rose Blanchard's past have become tragically well-known. Subjected to years of medical fraud and abuse by her mother, Clauddine "Dee Dee" Blanchard, Gypsy's life was a carefully constructed web of lies. Dee Dee, suffering from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, fabricated illnesses and medical conditions for her daughter, subjecting her to unnecessary medical procedures and medications. This deception isolated Gypsy and controlled every aspect of her life.

In July 2016, Gypsy Rose Blanchard's role in the fatal stabbing of her mother, Dee Dee, led to a 10-year prison sentence. The crime, orchestrated with her then-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, marked a tragic culmination of years of abuse. The circumstances surrounding the murder were complex, fueled by Gypsy's desire for freedom from her mother's control and Godejohn's willingness to carry out the act.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Gypsy Rose Blanchard
Born	January 1, 1991
Age (as of July 10, 2024)	33
Known For	Involved in the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, due to a long history of abuse and medical fraud.
Sentence	10 years
Released from Prison	December 28, 2023 (on parole)
Marital Status	Married (to Ryan Anderson)
Current Status	Expecting a child
Reference	Wikipedia: Murder of Dee Dee Blanchard

The legal proceedings offered a glimpse into the depths of Gypsy's suffering. Prosecutors, recognizing the abuse she had endured, offered her a plea deal. This leniency was a testament to the complexities of the case and the understanding of the profound manipulation she had experienced. Gypsy pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, which resulted in the 10-year sentence.

On December 28, 2023, Gypsy Rose Blanchard walked out of the Chillicothe Correctional Center in Ohio, a free woman for the first time in over seven years. The parole board's decision allowed her to re-enter society, albeit with the weight of her past still hanging over her.

Blanchard's release sparked immense public interest, with many wondering what the future holds for the woman who had become a symbol of both victimization and crime. Media outlets and social media buzzed with speculation about her next steps, her mental state, and her ability to integrate back into the world. Interviews, documentaries, and social media posts provided glimpses into her current life.

The timeline of her incarceration is a crucial element in understanding the impact of the sentence. Having been sentenced in July 2016, and released on parole in December 2023, Gypsy served approximately nine years of her sentence. The final year of her sentence was served awaiting her release date.

Before her release, she had expressed a sense of freedom while behind bars. In a 2017 interview with 20/20, she stated that she felt more at peace in prison than under her mother's control. This statement highlights the severity of the abuse she suffered and the suffocating nature of her previous life.

Now, at the age of 33, Blanchard is navigating her new reality with a new perspective. Following her release, she quickly embraced social media, sharing updates about her life and experiences. She has remarried, and on social media, her husband Ryan Anderson shared an Instagram photo of Gypsy Rose cradling their baby, with the caption, Welcoming 2025.

The events that led to Gypsy Rose Blanchards incarceration paint a picture of manipulation and deceit. Dee Dee Blanchard, her mother, suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder where a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in a person under their care. Dee Dee presented Gypsy as chronically ill and subjected her to unnecessary medical treatments, surgeries, and medications.

The extent of Dee Dee's deception was extensive. She convinced medical professionals, charities, and the public that Gypsy suffered from a range of ailments, including leukemia, muscular dystrophy, and epilepsy. These lies led to financial benefits, sympathy, and constant care for Gypsy, which in turn, further isolated Gypsy from the outside world.

Gypsys isolation made her dependent on her mother, reinforcing Dee Dees control. The outside world was presented as dangerous, and Gypsy had little opportunity to form independent relationships. As Gypsy grew older, she began to resent her mothers control and sought to escape from her circumstances.

The circumstances surrounding Dee Dee's murder involved a complex web of coercion and desperation. Gypsy met Nicholas Godejohn online, and the two began an intimate relationship. Gypsy shared her desire to escape her mother's control with Godejohn, and the plan to kill Dee Dee was hatched.

On June 14, 2015, Godejohn traveled to the Blanchard home in Missouri, where he stabbed Dee Dee to death while Gypsy hid in the bathroom. After the murder, the couple fled to Wisconsin. The crime shocked the community, and the subsequent investigation revealed the years of deception that had preceded it.

The trial brought forth the details of the abuse, and the prosecution considered these factors when offering a plea deal. The second-degree murder charge, carrying a 10-year sentence, reflected this understanding. Godejohn received a life sentence.

Gypsys time in prison became a period of introspection and personal growth. During her incarceration, she participated in educational programs and therapy sessions. She reflected on her experiences and shared her story through interviews and media appearances. Her experience shed light on the complexities of her case. During her time in prison, she penned a memoir, further solidifying her story.

The decision to grant parole in December 2023 was the culmination of her good behavior in prison, her demonstrated remorse, and the recognition of the abuse she suffered. Her release allowed her to begin rebuilding her life outside of the confines of the correctional facility.

The public reaction to her release was mixed, with some expressing sympathy and support, and others questioning the justice of her sentence. Many people are fascinated by the case.

The question of how long she was in jail has a precise answer, thanks to the sentence handed down in court. Gypsy Rose Blanchard's sentence was set at 10 years. Although there were a few months of her sentence that were left before her release, she was released early due to good behavior. However, Gypsy served approximately nine years. This period was marked by her seeking help for the trauma she had experienced. This demonstrates the duration of her struggle and the complexities of her situation.

Now, Gypsy Rose Blanchard is embarking on a new chapter. She is a married woman and is expecting her first child, giving her a chance to redefine her life away from the shadows of the past. Her story is a testament to the long-term impacts of abuse and manipulation.

The Blanchard case continues to be studied by experts in psychology, law, and sociology, providing insights into the nature of abuse, mental illness, and the complexities of the justice system. The discussions surrounding this case continue to reveal important nuances of abuse, justice, and healing.