The Chaos Machine Part 1: How HBO Bought Gypsy Rose’s Plea Deal and Ensured Nick Godejohn Wouldn’t Get a Fair Trial
The case of Dee Dee and Gypsy Rose Blanchard captivated the nation, in part due to the media’s role in crafting a sensational narrative that villainized Dee Dee and transformed Gypsy into a misunderstood victim. Central to this narrative is HBO’s Mommy Dead and Dearest, a documentary that aired in 2017, just a year before Nick Godejohn’s trial. What the public doesn’t know is how this film—and the narrative it perpetuated—was carefully orchestrated long before Gypsy ever returned to Springfield, Missouri, to face charges for her mother’s murder.
Through insider information, court records, and my own correspondence with authorities like DA Dan Patterson, a disturbing truth has come to light: HBO, along with Gypsy’s stepmother Kristy Blanchard and lawyer-turned-manager Mike Stanfield, deliberately shaped the public narrative to secure Gypsy’s plea deal and destroy any chance of Nick receiving a fair trial. Worse, in doing so, they broke Missouri state law by handing over confidential discovery files for profit, exploiting Gypsy’s crime in ways they accused Dee Dee of doing during her lifetime.
This blog dives into how this narrative was built, the legal and ethical breaches involved, and the ripple effects that continue to obscure the truth about this case.
HBO’s Involvement Before Gypsy’s Plea Deal
Long before Gypsy’s plea deal was finalized, HBO filmmakers Erin Lee Carr and Andrew Rossi were already crafting their documentary, Mommy Dead and Dearest. What’s particularly damning is that filming had already wrapped before Gypsy even agreed to her plea deal. According to a letter I uncovered, written by Erin Lee Carr to Kristy and Rod Blanchard, HBO had already solidified its false narrative. This letter revealed that HBO—not Gypsy’s defense team—obtained her medical records and provided Mike Stanfield with a USB drive containing curated documents to use in court.
This USB drive, along with the false narrative spun in the media, became instrumental in securing Gypsy’s plea deal. By painting Gypsy as an innocent victim of her mother’s abuse and medical child abuse (Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy), HBO and Gypsy’s team ensured public sympathy and preemptively discredited any evidence that might contradict this portrayal.
The problem? This narrative was built on lies. The discovery files shared with HBO were, by Missouri state law, meant to aid in Gypsy’s defense—not to be sold or used for profit. Yet, DA Dan Patterson, who was fully aware of this breach, did nothing to prosecute those involved. Patterson himself appeared in Mommy Dead and Dearest and other documentaries, reinforcing the narrative that Gypsy was an abuse victim manipulated by another controlling man, Nick Godejohn.
The Weaponization of Media Against Nick Godejohn
By the time Nick Godejohn went to trial in 2018, the narrative was so firmly entrenched that he stood no chance of receiving a fair trial. Public opinion had already been swayed by Mommy Dead and Dearest, which portrayed him as a violent, controlling figure who preyed on a vulnerable girl.
This portrayal is not only inaccurate but also deeply unjust. Evidence from court records shows that Gypsy was the mastermind behind her mother’s murder. She planned every detail, manipulated Nick into carrying out the crime, and then discarded him once her objective was achieved. Nick, a man with diminished capacity and an impaired sense of morality due to autism spectrum disorder, was left to shoulder the full weight of the crime.
Nick’s defense team highlighted the media’s role in poisoning the jury pool during his 2022 appeal, arguing that the overwhelming publicity generated by HBO and other outlets made it impossible for him to receive a fair trial. The media frenzy wasn’t accidental—it was part of a calculated strategy to protect Gypsy and ensure Nick took the fall.
Kristy Blanchard and the Financial Exploitation of Gypsy’s Crime
Kristy Blanchard has been instrumental in perpetuating the false narrative of Dee Dee’s abuse. Her involvement dates back to before Gypsy’s plea deal when she partnered with Erin Lee Carr and Mike Stanfield to shape the MSbP narrative. Kristy, who had a personal vendetta against Dee Dee dating back to high school, seized the opportunity to paint Dee Dee in the worst possible light. Partnering with the media, Kristy fed the MSbP storyline to outlets like HBO, ensuring that Gypsy was framed as the innocent victim.
Mike Stanfield, Gypsy’s defense attorney during her plea deal, also played a significant role. Within days of Dee Dee’s murder, Stanfield was already working to control the narrative. He signed deals with media outlets, including HBO, while burying evidence of Gypsy’s chromosome disorder. Why? Because the narrative of a helpless daughter fighting for her life was more palatable—and more lucrative—than the truth: that Gypsy was a cognitively impaired, emotionally delayed individual who manipulated those around her, including Nick Godejohn, to achieve her goals.
Kristy, alongside Stanfield, has actively worked to keep this narrative alive, aligning herself with high-profile media figures like Melissa Moore (daughter of the Happy Face Killer) to ensure that Gypsy remains a sympathetic figure in the public eye. Kristy has capitalized on Gypsy’s crime in ways that Dee Dee never could have dreamed of, turning it into a lucrative brand that includes book deals, speaking engagements, and media partnerships.
Ironically, while accusing Dee Dee of exploiting Gypsy for financial gain, Kristy has done exactly that on a much larger scale. The MSbP narrative has not only shielded Gypsy from accountability but also provided Kristy with a platform to profit from a story built on lies.
Gypsy’s Plea Deal: A Bought and Paid For Outcome
The influence of the media on Gypsy’s plea deal cannot be overstated. With the MSbP narrative saturating public discourse, prosecutors faced immense pressure to show leniency toward Gypsy. The carefully constructed image of Dee Dee as an abuser and Gypsy as her victim made it nearly impossible to present the case objectively.
Gypsy ultimately received a plea deal of 10 years for second-degree murder—a remarkably lenient sentence given her central role in planning her mother’s death. Meanwhile, Nick Godejohn, whose autism and cognitive challenges were dismissed in court, was sentenced to life without parole. The media’s portrayal of him as a “cold-blooded killer” ensured he would never have a fair trial.
The Dark Side of Media Manipulation: HBO’s Mommy Dead and Dearest and the False Narrative Behind the Gypsy Rose Blanchard Case
The Gypsy Rose Blanchard case has captivated audiences for nearly a decade, largely due to the sensationalized narrative presented by HBO’s documentary Mommy Dead and Dearest. Directed by Erin Lee Carr and produced by Andrew Rossi, this documentary quickly gained notoriety for its gripping portrayal of Gypsy Rose as the ultimate victim of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSbP), painting her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, as a controlling, abusive villain. But what if that narrative, so carefully crafted and sold to the public, is as false today as it was in 2015?
As it turns out, Mommy Dead and Dearest wasn’t an impartial investigation into the truth; it was a calculated piece of storytelling that deliberately omitted key facts to fit a narrative that HBO and its creators knew would sell. The documentary team began filming before Gypsy was even extradited back to Springfield, Missouri, and the foundation of the story—a mother abusing her daughter through MSbP—was established before any real investigation into the facts had even been conducted.
This blog will delve into the corruption, bias, and media manipulation that fueled Gypsy’s plea deal, villainized the true victim, Dee Dee Blanchard, and ensured that Nick Godejohn, Gypsy’s boyfriend and accomplice, would never receive a fair trial. It’s a story of profit, power, and how the media, alongside Gypsy and her family, orchestrated one of the most misleading narratives in modern true crime history.
The Media Machine in Motion Before the Facts
In the immediate aftermath of Dee Dee’s murder in June 2015, the media quickly latched onto the shocking details of the case. A daughter confined to a wheelchair by her overbearing mother, only to murder her to gain freedom—it was a story made for headlines. But HBO’s Mommy Dead and Dearest went one step further.
Erin Lee Carr and Andrew Rossi didn’t wait for investigations or trials to conclude. They began filming while the facts were still murky, before Gypsy had even been extradited back to Missouri. The MSbP narrative, central to the documentary’s appeal, was adopted without question, despite the lack of medical evidence to support it. Why? Because it was dramatic, it was marketable, and it guaranteed viewer engagement.
What HBO and the filmmakers failed to disclose was that Gypsy’s medical history did not align with the diagnosis of MSbP. Gypsy was born with a rare chromosome disorder—1q21.1 microdeletion—that explained many of her health challenges. This condition caused developmental delays, cognitive impairments, and a range of physical symptoms, all of which required medical intervention. Yet this crucial piece of evidence was deliberately buried to keep the focus on Dee Dee as the villain.
The Players Behind the Narrative: Gypsy, Kristy, and Mike Stanfield
Gypsy’s stepmother, Kristy Blanchard, and her lawyer-turned-manager, Mike Stanfield, were instrumental in perpetuating the false narrative. Kristy, who had a personal vendetta against Dee Dee dating back to high school, seized the opportunity to paint Dee Dee in the worst possible light. Partnering with the media, Kristy fed the MSbP storyline to outlets like HBO, ensuring that Gypsy was framed as the innocent victim.
Mike Stanfield, Gypsy’s defense attorney during her plea deal, also played a significant role. Within days of Dee Dee’s murder, Stanfield was already working to control the narrative. He signed deals with media outlets, including HBO, while burying evidence of Gypsy’s chromosome disorder. Why? Because the narrative of a helpless daughter fighting for her life was more palatable—and more lucrative—than the truth: that Gypsy was a cognitively impaired, emotionally delayed individual who manipulated those around her, including Nick Godejohn, to achieve her goals.
Gypsy’s Plea Deal: A Bought and Paid For Outcome
The influence of the media on Gypsy’s plea deal cannot be overstated. With the MSbP narrative saturating public discourse, prosecutors faced immense pressure to show leniency toward Gypsy. The carefully constructed image of Dee Dee as an abuser and Gypsy as her victim made it nearly impossible to present the case objectively.
Gypsy ultimately received a plea deal of 10 years for second-degree murder—a remarkably lenient sentence given her central role in planning her mother’s death. Meanwhile, Nick Godejohn, whose autism and cognitive challenges were dismissed in court, was sentenced to life without parole. The media’s portrayal of him as a “cold-blooded killer” ensured he would never have a fair trial.
The Victimization of Dee Dee Blanchard
Lost in the sensationalism is the fact that Dee Dee Blanchard was the true victim of this case. While she was far from perfect, Dee Dee was a single mother trying to provide for a child with significant medical and cognitive challenges. Her exaggerations and grifting were born out of desperation and a desire to give Gypsy a life filled with opportunities she otherwise couldn’t afford.
The media, led by HBO and other outlets, turned Dee Dee into a caricature—a monstrous figure who deserved her fate. But the evidence paints a different picture. Dee Dee’s actions were not those of an abuser suffering from MSbP but of a mother navigating the complexities of raising a child with a debilitating genetic disorder.
What’s Being Hidden?
The corruption in this case goes far deeper than the MSbP narrative. Based on my research, I believe that Gypsy and Dee Dee’s involvement in charity events and conventions like VisionCon connected them to Springfield’s elite and local politicians. These connections, combined with the sensationalized narrative crafted by HBO and Kristy, raise questions about what’s being hidden.
Was Dee Dee murdered solely because of her control over Gypsy, or were there other motivations? While we may never know the full truth, what’s clear is that the narrative of medical abuse and victimhood was a deliberate distraction. Gypsy and her team have consistently used chaos and misinformation to obscure the facts, ensuring that the real story remains buried.
The Dark Side of Media Manipulation: HBO’s Mommy Dead and Dearest and the False Narrative Behind the Gypsy Rose Blanchard Case
The Gypsy Rose Blanchard case has captivated audiences for nearly a decade, largely due to the sensationalized narrative presented by HBO’s documentary Mommy Dead and Dearest. Directed by Erin Lee Carr and produced by Andrew Rossi, this documentary quickly gained notoriety for its gripping portrayal of Gypsy Rose as the ultimate victim of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSbP), painting her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, as a controlling, abusive villain. But what if that narrative, so carefully crafted and sold to the public, is as false today as it was in 2015?
As it turns out, Mommy Dead and Dearest wasn’t an impartial investigation into the truth; it was a calculated piece of storytelling that deliberately omitted key facts to fit a narrative that HBO and its creators knew would sell. The documentary team began filming before Gypsy was even extradited back to Springfield, Missouri, and the foundation of the story—a mother abusing her daughter through MSbP—was established before any real investigation into the facts had even been conducted.
This blog will delve into the corruption, bias, and media manipulation that fueled Gypsy’s plea deal, villainized the true victim, Dee Dee Blanchard, and ensured that Nick Godejohn, Gypsy’s boyfriend and accomplice, would never receive a fair trial. It’s a story of profit, power, and how the media, alongside Gypsy and her family, orchestrated one of the most misleading narratives in modern true crime history.
The Media Machine in Motion Before the Facts
In the immediate aftermath of Dee Dee’s murder in June 2015, the media quickly latched onto the shocking details of the case. A daughter confined to a wheelchair by her overbearing mother, only to murder her to gain freedom—it was a story made for headlines. But HBO’s Mommy Dead and Dearest went one step further.
Erin Lee Carr and Andrew Rossi didn’t wait for investigations or trials to conclude. They began filming while the facts were still murky, before Gypsy had even been extradited back to Missouri. The MSbP narrative, central to the documentary’s appeal, was adopted without question, despite the lack of medical evidence to support it. Why? Because it was dramatic, it was marketable, and it guaranteed viewer engagement.
What HBO and the filmmakers failed to disclose was that Gypsy’s medical history did not align with the diagnosis of MSbP. Gypsy was born with a rare chromosome disorder—1q21.1 microdeletion—that explained many of her health challenges. This condition caused developmental delays, cognitive impairments, and a range of physical symptoms, all of which required medical intervention. Yet this crucial piece of evidence was deliberately buried to keep the focus on Dee Dee as the villain.
The Players Behind the Narrative: Gypsy, Kristy, and Mike Stanfield
Gypsy’s stepmother, Kristy Blanchard, and her lawyer-turned-manager, Mike Stanfield, were instrumental in perpetuating the false narrative. Kristy, who had a personal vendetta against Dee Dee dating back to high school, seized the opportunity to paint Dee Dee in the worst possible light. Partnering with the media, Kristy fed the MSbP storyline to outlets like HBO, ensuring that Gypsy was framed as the innocent victim.
Mike Stanfield, Gypsy’s defense attorney during her plea deal, also played a significant role. Within days of Dee Dee’s murder, Stanfield was already working to control the narrative. He signed deals with media outlets, including HBO, while burying evidence of Gypsy’s chromosome disorder. Why? Because the narrative of a helpless daughter fighting for her life was more palatable—and more lucrative—than the truth: that Gypsy was a cognitively impaired, emotionally delayed individual who manipulated those around her, including Nick Godejohn, to achieve her goals.
Gypsy’s Plea Deal: A Bought and Paid For Outcome
The influence of the media on Gypsy’s plea deal cannot be overstated. With the MSbP narrative saturating public discourse, prosecutors faced immense pressure to show leniency toward Gypsy. The carefully constructed image of Dee Dee as an abuser and Gypsy as her victim made it nearly impossible to present the case objectively.
Gypsy ultimately received a plea deal of 10 years for second-degree murder—a remarkably lenient sentence given her central role in planning her mother’s death. Meanwhile, Nick Godejohn, whose autism and cognitive challenges were dismissed in court, was sentenced to life without parole. The media’s portrayal of him as a “cold-blooded killer” ensured he would never have a fair trial.
The Victimization of Dee Dee Blanchard
Lost in the sensationalism is the fact that Dee Dee Blanchard was the true victim of this case. While she was far from perfect, Dee Dee was a single mother trying to provide for a child with significant medical and cognitive challenges. Her exaggerations and grifting were born out of desperation and a desire to give Gypsy a life filled with opportunities she otherwise couldn’t afford.
The media, led by HBO and other outlets, turned Dee Dee into a caricature—a monstrous figure who deserved her fate. But the evidence paints a different picture. Dee Dee’s actions were not those of an abuser suffering from MSbP but of a mother navigating the complexities of raising a child with a debilitating genetic disorder.
The Legacy of Bias and Corruption
Ten years later, the narrative of MSbP persists, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The media, Gypsy, Kristy, and Mike Stanfield have all profited from this story, using it to secure book deals, documentaries, and speaking engagements. Meanwhile, Nick Godejohn remains behind bars, his life destroyed by a case that was never properly investigated or presented.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the power of media to shape public opinion and the lengths to which people will go to profit from tragedy. The Blanchard case wasn’t just mishandled—it was manipulated, orchestrated, and sold to the highest bidder.
Closing Thoughts
The Gypsy Rose Blanchard case is not just a tragedy; it’s a case study in media manipulation, legal corruption, and the power of a well-crafted narrative. HBO, Kristy Blanchard, Mike Stanfield, and even the legal system worked together to construct a story that villainized Dee Dee, exonerated Gypsy, and ensured Nick Godejohn would never receive a fair trial.
This narrative was never about justice—it was about profit. Gypsy’s plea deal was bought and paid for with the false narrative created by HBO and perpetuated by those closest to her. Meanwhile, Nick remains in prison, his role exaggerated and his mental health struggles ignored.
As true crime enthusiasts, we have a responsibility to question the narratives we are presented with. The Gypsy Rose Blanchard case is not just a story of murder; it is a cautionary tale about the dangers of media bias, the influence of money and power, and the human cost of sensationalism.
HBO, Erin Lee Carr, Andrew Rossi, Kristy Blanchard, and Mike Stanfield all played a role in perpetuating a lie that has impacted not just the lives of those involved but also our understanding of justice. It’s time to revisit this case with fresh eyes, armed with the facts that were buried in favor of profit and entertainment.
As we continue to uncover the truth, it’s important to question the stories we’re told and demand accountability from those who profit from lies. Justice for Dee Dee Blanchard and Nick Godejohn means uncovering the truth—even if it doesn’t fit the story we were sold.
Stay tuned for part two of this blog, where we’ll explore how social media tragedy pimps have perpetuated this false narrative and created chaos to distract from the truth. Their tactics of bullying and misinformation mirror the very strategies used by Gypsy’s team, ensuring that the real victims—Dee Dee and Nick—remain forgotten.
Call to Action:
Explore more insights on The Good Wives’ Network. Join Fancy and Mack as they uncover the truths behind the headlines, and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for updates on our upcoming series!
True Crime Tour with Fancy – A Weekend to Die For
Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of true crime, mystery, and intrigue with Fancy Macelli and The Good Wives’ Network crew! Whether you’re joining us for general ticketed events or treating yourself to the exclusive VIP experience, this is your chance to dive deep into true crime storytelling like never before.
Depending on the city, events will span Thursday and Friday or Saturday and Sunday, with thrilling activities, personal interactions, and a heartfelt remembrance for Dee Dee Blanchard.
General Ticketed Events
- Candlelight Vigil: Honor Dee Dee Blanchard with a moving vigil.
- Murder Mystery Dinner: A thrilling true crime-themed dinner.
- Book Reading & Signing: Fancy reads from The Companion 2 and signs books.
- True Crime Show: A deep dive into true crime cases with Fancy.
VIP Experience
Includes a luxury party bus tour, personal meet-and-greet, signed book bundles, and an exclusive brunch with Fancy Macelli.
Fancy Macelli and her team’s work can be seen in our 8-part series with InTouch Magazine, The Reelz Channel’s Copycat Killers, A&E’s Killer Cases Season 1 Episode 6 (for which we were listed as contributors), and on our 13-episode The Good Wives’ Guide to True Crime podcast available on all major podcast platforms. You can find more information about us at thegoodwivesnetwork.com as well as on all social media platforms under @thegoodwivesnet.
Alongside her partners Mack and Sara, Fancy has also launched the non-profit Stop the Cycle of Abuse Program (SCOAP) to combat intimate partner violence.
Fancy and her team are currently working on a documentary entitled, Gypsy Rose & Nick, America’s Sweetheart Murderers. Their upcoming tell-all book of their 7-year journey with the De Dee Blanchard case gives a very personal look into what happened on June 15, 2015, in the town of Springfield, MO and more. It is entitled, It’s All a Distraction: Our 7-Year Journey of Investigating the Life, Crimes, & Murder of De Dee Blanchard. Check out our first three books in the series on Amazon, and on our website, where you can get signed copies.
