Following her release from prison, Gypsy Rose Blanchard has shared her first selfie as she embraces her newfound freedom.
As previously reported, Gypsy, 32, has been released from prison after serving nearly eight years for her role in the murder of her mother, Clauddine "Dee Dee" Blanchard.
The story first gained international attention in 2015, highlighting the peculiar circumstances surrounding the case. Dee Dee Blanchard's life was tragically cut short at the hands of Gypsy's boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, whom she had met on an online Christian dating website.
The disturbing narrative exposed a history of forced pretenses, with Dee Dee falsely claiming that Gypsy suffered from leukemia, muscular dystrophy, and other severe illnesses. Contrary to these assertions, Gypsy was found to be in good health and not developmentally delayed. Dee Dee, diagnosed with Munchausen syndrome by proxy, fabricated illnesses to gain attention.
The elaborate deception extended to encounters with country star Miranda Lambert, charitable donations, a Disney World trip, and even a home near Springfield from Habitat for Humanity. Dee Dee manipulated medical professionals, claiming that Gypsy's records were lost in Hurricane Katrina.
Gypsy underwent unnecessary medical procedures, including the removal of her salivary glands, all orchestrated by her mother. Limited education and isolation from the outside world further facilitated the deception.
Under the control of her mother, Gypsy enlisted the help of Nicholas Godejohn, whom she met on a Christian dating website, to carry out the murder. In June 2015, Nicholas fatally stabbed Dee Dee while she slept.
Gypsy pleaded guilty in 2016 to second-degree murder, receiving a 10-year sentence in exchange for her testimony against Nicholas, who received life without parole.
Gypsy was released yesterday (December 28) and wasted no time in enjoying her newfound freedom with a selfie posted to Instagram.
She captioned the post: "First selfie of freedom!"
People were quick to offer their support, as one person said: "I hope you have nothing but wonderful loving and beautiful life," while a second person said: "You look so much happier gypsy i am so proud and excited for you in this new life."
Reportedly, Gypsy plans to document her childhood and experiences during her time in prison in an upcoming book.
Alongside this, the 32-year-old has expressed her wishes to attend a Kansas City Chiefs game in the hopes of bumping into Taylor Swift.
In the weeks before her release, concerns were raised among family friends. Fancy Marcelli and Titania Gisclair expressed worries about Gypsy's reluctance to embrace counseling and the potential impact of her manipulated past on her imminent freedom.
Marcelli voiced her apprehension, stating: "She’s supposed to get out in 2025, but I worry about what’s going to happen to her," according to In Touch.
Gypsy now plans to move in with her husband Ryan Scott Anderson, whom she married in 2022.