Alexa Riccardi
Professor Toohey
ENG 170-28
Research Paper
07 May 2024

Dee Dee Blanchard: Doting Mother or Devilish Monster?

May 3, 1967 was the day Claudinea “Dee Dee” Pitre, came into the world in Chackbay, Louisiana. She married Rod Blanchard when she was around twenty four years old and had her first and only born, Gypsy Rose Blanchard. That name would go on to be historic in the world of true crime. Dee Dee Blanchard’s actions make her a monster who manipulated, abused, and exploited her own daughter by faking her illnesses and subjecting her to unnecessary medical treatments to satisfy her desire for attention.
To the average outsider, Gypsy Rose was the sickest child anybody had ever seen. From the time she was an infant, Dee Dee claimed that her daughter was suffering from a numerous range of disabilities and illnesses, including leukemia, muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, and mental retardation (ABC Network). Because of this, Dee Dee was presented as this loving and caring parent, who was deeply committed to meeting Gypsy’s needs, without a father figure for her daughter in the picture. She was seen as a town sweetheart due to her perceived selflessness and dedication to caring for her daughter. The community’s sympathy for Gypsy’s medical conditions led to widespread admiration and support for Dee Dee. She was praised for her strength and selflessness in caring for her supposedly sick daughter, further enhancing her reputation as a devoted mother and a pillar of the community. However, the local darlings had a secret, and the community was in for a shock.
On June 14, 2015, Dee Dee Blanchard was found murdered in her home. This came across as a massive surprise to the close friends of the mother and daughter. How could anybody hurt such a sweet person? Why would they target the mother of a disabled child? and the main question… Where was Gypsy?
Authorities initially believed Gypsy was missing and possibly abducted. However, they found Gypsy and her online boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, a few days later in Wisconsin (Genzlinger). Subsequent interrogation and evidence gathering revealed that Gypsy had conspired with Godejohn to murder her mother.
Yes, people were shocked that this sweet, innocent angel was involved in the brutal killing of her own mother who she loved so dearly. But they were more surprised that she was found out of her wheelchair on both feet, and was walking like she had always been completely normal.
This is when everybody realized what was actually happening behind closed doors. Dee Dee Blanchard was not the caring mother she had always claimed to be. She was a monster who faked her daughter’s disabilities to reap the benefits.
Dee Dee Blanchard’s case is a well-known example of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a form of abuse in which a caregiver, often a parent, fabricates or induces illness in someone under their care to gain sympathy and attention. The term “Munchausen syndrome by proxy” comes from the name of Baron von Munchausen, an 18th-century German dignitary known for telling outlandish stories about his adventures and experiences (Schreier and Libow 37). In this disorder, the caregiver essentially creates a medical mystery, seeking attention and sympathy for themselves by presenting themselves as dedicated caregivers dealing with a very sick person.
Dee Dee subjected Gypsy to unnecessary medical treatments and surgeries which led to significant harm to her. Gypsy was made to take medications such as seizure medication, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety medication, and sedatives (ABC Network). Additionally, Dee Dee forced Gypsy to undergo many unnecessary medical procedures, including the insertion of a feeding tube, removal of her salivary glands, and removal of her teeth.
In addition to the psychological manipulation and medical treatments, Dee Dee also physically abused Gypsy. This included hitting, slapping, and even restraining her physically (Vile). Gypsy was often struck when she tried to resist or question her mother.
Dee Dee went to great lengths to keep Gypsy from growing up and becoming independent. She controlled every aspect of Gypsy’s life, including her education and personal relationships. Her main goal was to isolate Gypsy from the outside world, homeschooling her and closely monitoring her internet usage. Dee Dee maintained control over her Gypsy and prevented her from experiencing a normal childhood and adolescence.
Due to Dee Dee’s strict control, Gypsy was not allowed to have a boyfriend or talk about her medical conditions with others, which portrayed her as younger and more disabled than she actually was (Antosca). This was made to keep Gypsy dependent on her mother and under her control. She closely monitored Gypsy’s interactions with others, including her social interactions and romantic relationships. Any attempt by Gypsy become an independent adult or explore her sexuality disapproved and she received punishment from her mother. Gypsy kept her relationships a secret by communicating with boys while her mother wasn’t around.
Gypsy’s mother would tell her that she would never find love and even supposedly went as far as to use witchcraft to hex her so nobody would want to be with her (Lifetime TV). This took a massive toll on her mental health and though it’s been years since her mother’s death, she still believes that the spell has taken effect as she has been unable to find true love in her life.
Dee Dee Blanchard’s family all confirm that her ties with witchcraft are very real. Her family, including her father and stepmother, have described her as manipulative and deceitful.
Her father, Claude Pitre Jr. has stated that he believes Dee Dee got what she deserved, referring to her murder at the hands of her daughter. But her dad isn’t such a good guy either.
In recent years, Gypsy has come out to say that her grandfather, Dee Dee’s father, sexually abused her as a child. Pitre was directly asked about the allegations but denied it. His response was shocking, “She was the one that was trying to touch me, and I’d say no, don’t do that” (Lifetime TV).
Dee Dee Blanchard could’ve been a victim of sexual abuse growing up, which could be a valuing factor as to why she was so engrossed in controlling her daughter and keeping her away from things that she saw as dangerous.
Experiencing sexual abuse can impact a person’s perception of safety, trust, and control, potentially leading to overprotective behavior as a parent. A mother who has survived sexual abuse may develop extreme fear or anxiety  regarding the safety of her children. This trauma may lead to extreme behavior when it comes to protecting the children from what was experienced. Additionally, survivors of sexual abuse may develop a need for control and power as a coping mechanism. This need for control could manifest in overprotective behavior, as the parent seeks to exert control over their environment and protect their kids from harm. Survivors may struggle with setting appropriate boundaries for themselves and their children. Overprotective behavior may serve as a coping mechanism for survivors, providing them with a sense of security and control.
However, it’s not confirmed that Dee Dee was ever sexually abused. In fact, it was hard to find details on Dee Dee’s childhood till recently.
Dee Dee’s family recently spoke out and her childhood sounds familiar. It was a whole lot like Gypsy’s.
Her siblings stated that when they were growing up, their mother would keep Dee Dee inside. She claimed Dee Dee to have a heart murmur and had to be sheltered (Vile). If Dee Dee’s mother also suffered from Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, it could have significantly impacted the way she parented Gypsy. Growing up in an environment where illness was fabricated or exaggerated could have normalized this behavior for Dee Dee, leading her to replicate it with her own daughter. Having an overprotective mother may have also resulted in zero boundaries between herself and her mother (Ladd-Taylor and Umansky 59). The need for control and power instilled in Dee Dee by her mother’s behavior, may have influenced Dee Dee to control every aspect of Gypsy’s life, as a way to maintain a sense of control in her own life. Growing up with her mother could have resulted in Dee Dee experiencing significant emotional trauma, continuing a cycle of abuse.
No matter how Dee Dee became this monster, Gypsy was still heavily affected by this. And she was also affected by the absence of her father that Dee Dee had pushed away and spread numerous lies about.
Rod Blanchard, Gypsy’s father, had a short lived marriage when he was only seventeen. Being several years older, Dee Dee was able to manipulate Rod into having a baby with him and making him her husband. However, the couple didn’t last very long and the young pair split. After this, Rod was largely absent from Gypsy’s life. But this was all Dee Dee’s fault.
Dee Dee portrayed Rod Blanchard, Gypsy’s father, as a neglectful figure. She falsely claimed that Rod was an alcoholic and drug addict who had abandoned them. Dee Dee told Gypsy that her father was not interested in her well-being and that he didn’t want to have any contact with them. This led Gypsy to believe that her father was not a good person and caused her to grow up without a relationship with him. However, Rod was not the abusive figure that his ex wife portrayed him to be. He was concerned about Gypsy’s well-being and made efforts to maintain contact with her, but Dee Dee actively prevented them from having a relationship.
Dee Dee’s lies about Rod clearly show her deceitful nature, contributing to her portrayal as an evil figure. By portraying Rod as a terrible father, she effectively isolated Gypsy from her father and deprived her of a loving and supportive relationship. Her manipulation not only damaged Gypsy’s relationship with her father but also prevented Rod from having a relationship with his daughter for many years. This deliberate manipulation designed to control and isolate Gypsy, shows Dee Dee’s willingness to harm those closest to her for her own selfish purposes.
Sadly, Gypsy felt murdering her mom was the only way out.
Murdering Dee Dee would be the only way to escape the years of abuse and manipulation. Gypsy was trapped by her mother’s constant surveillance. She believed that by killing Dee Dee, she could finally live a life of her own choosing.
Gypsy and her boyfriend, Nicholas, thought they got away with the murder of Dee Dee Blanchard, but were later taken into custody shortly after the body was discovered. Gypsy confessed to her involvement in the murder, explaining that she had been a victim of her mother’s abuse for years and had conspired with Nicholas to kill her in an attempt to escape. In July 2016, Gypsy pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
As of 2024, Gypsy Rose Blanchard has been released from prison (Cherri). Since her release, she has been working on rebuilding her life and adjusting to her newfound freedom. Gypsy has been vocal about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother, and has expressed remorse for her involvement in the murder. She has been focusing on her education, obtaining her GED while in prison, and pursuing further academic goals. She has also been receiving support from advocates and mental health professionals to help her cope with the trauma she experienced. Despite the challenges she faces, Gypsy is hopeful for the future and is determined to move forward with her life.
Following her mother’s death, Gypsy Rose Blanchard reconnected with her father and step mom. Rod has been supportive of Gypsy throughout her legal proceedings. The pair have been working on rebuilding their relationship, and Rod has advocated for Gypsy’s release from prison, believing that she was a victim of her mother’s abuse.
The abuse caused by Dee Dee still continues to affect Gypsy today, even after her release from prison. Gypsy still grapples with childhood trauma and years of abuse at the hands of her mother. Although she’s now free from her mother’s control, Gypsy has been learning to overcome the challenges of rebuilding her life and learning to trust others after years of deception and manipulation. She is determined to regain her independence and live an independent life free of her mother’s abuse and control (Lifetime TV).
Dee Dee Blanchard’s actions make her a monstrous figure who manipulated, abused, and exploited her own daughter, Gypsy Rose Blanchard. By fabricating illnesses and subjecting Gypsy to unnecessary medical treatments, she satisfied her own desire for attention and control. Her deceitful and manipulative behavior not only deprived Gypsy of a normal childhood but also led to tragic consequences, including Gypsy’s involvement in her mother’s murder. Dee Dee’s actions serve as a stark reminder of the devastating effects of Munchausen syndrome by proxy and the lengths to which some individuals will go to satisfy their own needs without thinking of the harm they’ve inflicted on others.

 

 

Works Cited
ABC Network, director. “The Story of Gypsy Blanchard.” 20/20, season 40, episode 15.
Adshead, Gwen, and Deborah Brooke, editors. Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy: Current Issues in Assessment, Treatment, and Research. Imperial College Press, 2001.
Cherri, Mossburg. “Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who pleaded guilty to helping kill her abusive mother, is released from prison.” CNN Wire Service, 28 December 2023.
Fallon, Kevin. “The Shocking Story of ‘The Act’: Mom Made Her Daughter Sick. So She Killed Her: Hulu’s ‘The Act’ tells the story of Dee Dee Blanchard, who inflicted her daughter with fake illnesses until, fed up, her daughter killed her. True crime doesn’t get more riveting.” New York: The Newsweek/Daily Beast Company LLC, 20 March 2019.
Genzlinger, Neil. “A Killing Of Deceptive Appearances: [Review].” New York Times, 15 May 2017.
Ladd-Taylor, Molly, and Lauri Umansky, editors. BAD MOTHERS: The Politics of Blame in Twentieth-Century America. NYU Press, 1998.
Lifetime TV, creator. The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard. Lifetime, 2024. mylifetime.com, https://www.mylifetime.com/shows/the-prison-confessions-of-gypsy-rose-blanchard.
Antosca, Nick, creator. The Act. Eat the Cat; Writ Large; Universal Cable Productions, 2019. Hulu, https://www.hulu.com/series/8cc910fe-b59e-46a5-9966-16c4e0ed208d.
Schreier, Herbert A., and Judith A. Libow. Hurting for Love: Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome. Guilford Publications, 1993.
Vile, Jesse, director. Gypsy’s Revenge. 2018. Discovery+, https://www.discoveryplus.com/show/gypsys-revenge.