"The Act" TV Show on the real life case of Gypsy Blancharde
By Faye
@FayeHazel (40230)
United States
March 25, 2019 10:32am CST
I recently watched "The Act" which is a show featured on Hulu - and I was excited, because it is based on a true crime story that has interested me a long time. The Case of the murder of Dee Dee Blancharde.
Here's my synopsis of the case.
Dee Dee Blancharde had a daughter named Gypsy. Dee Dee was likely suffering from a thing called Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. Other than having a weird name, Munchhausen by Proxy causes the sufferer to make those in their care ill, in order to gain sympathy. Young Gypsy was a healthy girl, but she was already being primed into using a walker by Dee Dee who told her that she was sick with muscular dystrophy. Only being a young child, Gypsy believed her mom and used the walker. And so from there it progressed to a wheel chair, a feeding tube, un-needed medicines, and, as Gypsy grew - a host of other illnesses the Dee Dee convinced not only the world, but her daughter herself and a host of physicians - into believing that Gypsy had. These ailments included lukemia, asthema, and a lowered mental capacity - that of a child's. Dee Dee even lied to Gypsy about her own age, making her much younger than she actually was at the time.
The two became rather well known - and received alot of help from the community and various organizations that help critically ill people. Trips, a house, money - likely lots of other things were all given to Dee Dee and Gypsy, based on the lies Dee Dee had spun. They were that convincing. Apparently the duo were very charming together, Gypsy always with a huge grin and doting Dee Dee by her side. The two loved Disney movies and Dee Dee would occasionally dress young Gypsy up as a princess. Even when not doning Princess gear - Dee Dee made sure that Gypsy was dressed young for her age. Her soft, high voice and slight stature added to the illusion that she was 1 -younger than her actual age and 2 - not able to mentally progress beyond the intelligence of a child.
However as Gypsy grew up so did her mentality. She knew she could walk, but times when she would go against the act of being the sweet, ill girl her mother would use physical abuse to keep her inline. If Gypsy's behaviors were viewed by the community - Dee Dee would simply blame the actions on the girl's "illnesses" or medications.
Eventually, in spite of being told her whole life that she was sick - Gypsy figured it out. And became quite desperate for a way out. She wished that the many physicians and staff would catch on.... and this seems hard to believe - but other than 1 physician who had some doubts, the rest continued to treat, prescribe, refer - even operate on Gypsy solely based on the word of Dee Dee.
Sneaking Dee Dee's computer at night, Gypsy hatched a plan - she would contact men online, and see if someone would rescue her. Eventually this lead to Gypsy meeting Nicholas Godejohn, some sick creep from somewhere. But Gypsy was desperate and the two hatched a plan to kill Dee Dee. So, in June of 2015 - that exactly happened. Godejohn stabbed Dee Dee and then took off with Gypsy, but not before having sex with Gypsy and grabbing some cash.
Godejohn is serving a life sentence and Gypsy is serving 10 years. Gypsy has said she feels more free in prison, than she did with Dee Dee.
For me, it is hard to know how to feel about this incredibly sad and complex case. Gypsy didn't deserve to be misled and made to serve as a cash cow and undergo medical treatments she didn't need. However Dee Dee was an ill woman to even think of such a thing. I think the pair could have just as easily restrained Dee Dee and reported her to the proper authorities after making a break for it.
Either way - I do wish Gypsy peace for the rest of her life. I'm not sure jail was the right place for her, but as long as she is there I hope she is getting treatment of some type and when the time comes, that she will find a nice community.
As for the show? So far I've only seen most of 2 episodes but they are doing an excellent job of making the case come to life.
Some information verified at Wikipedia :
The "Act" show website : https://www.hulu.com/press/show/the-act/
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigation Jump to search 2015 murder of woman by daughter she had forced to pose as severely ill Murder of Dee Dee BlanchardAn undated photo of Dee Dee Blanchard, likely taken between 2007 and 2015DateJune 14,
9 people like this
9 responses
@DianneN (254948)
• United States
25 Mar 19
Just as I finished reading this, my sister-in-law called. I almost forgot what I read, but have heard of odd things like this before. How very sad, but I can understand how freeing Gypsy felt after that, but she was in her right mind at that point and murder is still murder.
1 person likes this

@DianneN (254948)
• United States
26 Mar 19
@FayeHazel I believe she has peace now.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
26 Mar 19
@DianneN I also hope they are offering therapy for when she is out
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
26 Mar 19
True. I disagree with the murder. I think there are other things they could have done to get away. Though I could also see how Gypsy would arrive at that conclusion since other escape attempts had failed.
Sad state of affairs all around. I do hope that she gets some peace in life
1 person likes this

@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
26 Mar 19
Its really well done.
If I sign up again for Netflix I would be interested in "American Crime". Sad about Versace
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
26 Mar 19
@FayeHazel they also had OJ Simpson which I could care less about him
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
27 Mar 19
@amadeo Wow I remember when that happened. Big news at the time

@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
26 Mar 19
I don't know whose mind would go there. How sad.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67089)
• United States
23 Apr 19
I havent watched this but many on Twitter have talked about it since it started.
1 person likes this

@nela13 (59365)
• Portugal
26 Mar 19
@FayeHazel yes, we have mixed feelings about this.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
26 Mar 19
It is as fascinating as it is sad. I don't agree with the murder, but, somehow I don't blame the daughter, either. I hope she finds peace in her life from here on out
1 person likes this

@MommyOfEli2013 (90030)
• Rupert, Idaho
26 Mar 19
Wow, what a story! Sounds like an interesting show
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (90030)
• Rupert, Idaho
26 Mar 19
@FayeHazel That is good to hear
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
26 Mar 19
Ah I'm happy you skimmed it then. One never knows, the show does have the disclaimer that some facts have been changed, but I would imagine that they follow the case fairly close. I think Hulu offers a free trial :-D
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
25 Mar 19
That was just a horror of a life to live! Poor girl.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
26 Mar 19
True. Real life is far weirder than fiction at times
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