Woman, boyfriend accused of killing mom, lying about disability
A bizarre case of murder, deception, and possible fraud: A Springfield, Mo., woman and her boyfriend are charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of her mother.
Court documents show that Nicholas Godejohn, 26, and Gypsy Blancharde, 23, admitted being involved in “Dee Dee” Blancharde’s death.
Dee Dee was found stabbed to death on Sunday, June 14 in her Springfield, Mo., home, and her daughter Gypsy with special needs was originally declared missing. A Facebook post eventually led police to find Gypsy in Wisconsin with Godejohn, where the two were arrested and are now awaiting extradition back to Missouri.
Before this case unfolded, the Blanchardes’ story had been shared many times in the media. The two reportedly moved to Missouri after Hurricane Katrina displaced them from Louisiana. The women also spent time in Kansas City, allegedly getting treatments for Gypsy. They also received help from a number of organizations, including the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, and Habitat for Humanity in Springfield.
However, according to the Greene County Sheriff, investigators uncovered a history of possible financial fraud and deception by the Blanchardes. That fraud includes the possibility that Gypsy may not have needed the wheelchair she used. According to the sheriff, claims that she relied on it because she had muscular dystrophy and leukemia are not true.
Greene County Sheriff, Jim Arnott revealed Gypsy doesn’t need the wheelchair she’s been seen in for years, instead she’s able to walk unassisted. According to an article in a Children’s Mercy Hospital publication, Gypsy was treated by a doctor at the hospital in Kansas City. To get to and from appointments, they used Angel Flight, a service that connects people to hospitals by private plane to avoid otherwise long commutes.
Blanchard and Godejohn are charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. They were arrested in Wisconsin, where they allegedly fled after the murder. They remained in the Waukesha County Correctional Facility and await extradition to Missouri.
