ABC News’ ‘20/20’ Has First Network Interview With Gypsy Rose Blanchard From Prison, Airing Friday, January 5
‘20/20’ HAS FIRST NETWORK INTERVIEW WITH GYPSY ROSE BLANCHARD FROM PRISON ABOUT HER MURDER CONVICTION IN HER MOTHER’S DEATH AND LIFE WITH HER MOTHER
Hour Includes Exclusive Interview with Gypsy’s Ex-Boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, Accused of First-Degree Murder in the Death of Gypsy’s Mother
‘20/20’ Airs on Friday, January 5 (10:00–11:00 p.m. EST), on ABC
Gypsy Rose Blanchard, whose mother claimed she was terminally ill and wheelchair-bound since childhood, made national headlines intriguing the entire country when she not only pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the stabbing of her caregiver mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, but also proved that she could walk and did not suffer from the variety of medical illnesses that her mother claimed. Now, for the first time, Nicholas Godejohn, Gypsy’s ex-boyfriend who has been charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing, speaks out in an exclusive interview claiming that Gypsy was the mastermind behind the murder. The hour also includes the first network interview with Gypsy from prison as she opens up to ABC News’ Amy Robach about why she plotted to kill her mother and explains what life was like with Dee Dee, who some experts think had Munchausen syndrome by proxy, an unusual mental health disorder where a caregiver invents or inflicts illness on a person under his or her care to gain attention and/or financial gain. “20/20” explores the question of whether Gypsy is a victim or perpetrator in this bizarre case and interviews Rod Blanchard, Gypsy’s father; Gypsy’s neighbor and close friend, Aleah Woodmansee; family friends Kim and David Blanchard; Dr. Bernardo Flasterstein, Gypsy’s former neurologist, who suspected Dee Dee suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy; Mike Stanfield, Gypsy’s public defender; and local news anchor Leigh Moody who covered the case. “20/20” airs on Friday, Jan. 5 (10:00–11:00 p.m. EST), on ABC.
For nearly two decades, Gypsy was wheelchair-bound and allegedly had medical problems such as leukemia, seizures, muscular dystrophy and needed a feeding tube to eat. When Gypsy and her mother lost everything in Hurricane Katrina, they relocated to Springfield, Missouri, and turned into local celebrities. Gypsy started speaking at conferences and meeting celebrities. She received a Make A Wish trip to Walt Disney World and her mother received donations from country music star Miranda Lambert. The duo even received a new house from Habitat for Humanity. These organizations tell ABC News that they believed Gypsy’s story at the time. As Gypsy grew older, she met Nicholas Godejohn online and fell in love, but Dee Dee ordered Gypsy to stay away from him. In June 2015, their sweet mother-daughter façade was shattered when Dee Dee was found stabbed to death and police named Gypsy a suspect. The country was shocked when Gypsy was seen walking into court, quickly revealing that despite Dee Dee’s life-long claims, Gypsy wasn’t handicapped. It was also revealed that for years Gypsy underwent numerous, likely unnecessary, surgical procedures and was prescribed countless medications. Today, Gypsy is serving 10 years in prison for second-degree murder, and Nicholas has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and is awaiting trial. He faces life in prison if convicted.
For nearly two decades, Gypsy was wheelchair-bound and allegedly had medical problems such as leukemia, seizures, muscular dystrophy and needed a feeding tube to eat. When Gypsy and her mother lost everything in Hurricane Katrina, they relocated to Springfield, Missouri, and turned into local celebrities. Gypsy started speaking at conferences and meeting celebrities. She received a Make A Wish trip to Walt Disney World and her mother received donations from country music star Miranda Lambert. The duo even received a new house from Habitat for Humanity. These organizations tell ABC News that they believed Gypsy’s story at the time. As Gypsy grew older, she met Nicholas Godejohn online and fell in love, but Dee Dee ordered Gypsy to stay away from him. In June 2015, their sweet mother-daughter façade was shattered when Dee Dee was found stabbed to death and police named Gypsy a suspect. The country was shocked when Gypsy was seen walking into court, quickly revealing that despite Dee Dee’s life-long claims, Gypsy wasn’t handicapped. It was also revealed that for years Gypsy underwent numerous, likely unnecessary, surgical procedures and was prescribed countless medications. Today, Gypsy is serving 10 years in prison for second-degree murder, and Nicholas has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and is awaiting trial. He faces life in prison if convicted.
“20/20” is anchored by Elizabeth Vargas and David Muir. David Sloan is senior executive producer.
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