theme-sticky-logo-alt

The Discovery of 1q21.1 Microdeletion Syndrome: A New Perspective on the Blanchard Case

1 Comment

In 2008, the medical world made a groundbreaking discovery with the identification of 1q21.1 microdeletion syndrome, a rare chromosomal disorder linked to developmental delays, neurological challenges, and psychiatric vulnerabilities. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, this study brought long-awaited clarity to families grappling with unexplained medical conditions. For the Blanchard family, this discovery sheds new light on the deeply complex story of Dee Dee and Gypsy Rose Blanchard, challenging widely held assumptions about abuse and motivations.

Gypsy’s Early Diagnosis: A Medical Mystery

Gypsy Rose Blanchard was born in 1991 with developmental delays and unexplained health issues. At the time, doctors could not pinpoint a specific genetic cause, labeling her condition as a “chromosomal disorder.” Dee Dee, her mother, became her fiercest advocate, navigating countless medical appointments and searching tirelessly for answers. Despite extensive medical evaluations, the tools to identify conditions like 1q21.1 microdeletion syndrome simply didn’t exist yet.

Critics have long accused Dee Dee of fabricating Gypsy’s health conditions, labeling her actions as a form of Munchausen by proxy. However, the discovery of 1q21.1 microdeletion syndrome in 2008—and its availability for testing in 2011—provided definitive proof that Gypsy did, in fact, have a legitimate genetic disorder. This revelation reframes Dee Dee’s actions, suggesting that her persistence stemmed not from a desire to manipulate but from a deep commitment to understanding and managing her child’s complex medical needs.

The 2011 Diagnosis: A Long-Awaited Answer

In 2011, Gypsy was officially diagnosed with 1q21.1 microdeletion syndrome, providing clarity about the challenges she had faced since birth. This condition is associated with developmental delays, motor issues, and a heightened risk of psychiatric symptoms, including emotional dysregulation and anxiety. For Dee Dee, this diagnosis likely validated years of effort and advocacy. It also underscored the difficulties she faced in raising a child with such a rare and poorly understood condition.

Dee Dee’s focus, however, was almost entirely on Gypsy’s physical health. As a single mother navigating complex medical systems, Dee Dee may not have had the resources or awareness to address the significant mental health challenges that can accompany 1q21.1 microdeletion syndrome. This oversight—while not abusive—may have contributed to the tension and eventual breakdown in their relationship.

The Misconception of Financial Gain

Another pervasive myth about Dee Dee is that she sought financial gain from Gypsy’s medical condition. While it is true that the Blanchards received various forms of support, including donations and free trips, this assistance was directed toward improving Gypsy’s quality of life. Dee Dee did not live extravagantly or use these funds for personal indulgence. Instead, any benefits—from a Habitat for Humanity home to Make-A-Wish trips—were for Gypsy’s comfort and happiness.

Far from being a grifter, Dee Dee’s actions reflect the lengths a struggling single mother might go to in order to care for a child with significant needs. The narrative of “financial exploitation” oversimplifies the challenges she faced and the sacrifices she made.

Gypsy’s Delusional Narrative

In the years following Dee Dee’s death, Gypsy created a narrative painting her mother as an abuser who manipulated her for personal gain. While this story has garnered significant media attention, it is important to critically evaluate its validity in light of Gypsy’s known psychiatric vulnerabilities and her diagnosis of 1q21.1 microdeletion syndrome. This condition is associated with delusional thinking, emotional instability, and difficulty processing complex relationships.

Rather than being a victim of abuse, Gypsy was a child grappling with a rare and challenging genetic disorder. Dee Dee’s focus on physical health—while neglecting mental health support—may have unintentionally left Gypsy feeling isolated and misunderstood. These dynamics, combined with Gypsy’s emerging psychiatric symptoms, likely contributed to the tragic events that unfolded in 2015.

Reconsidering the Narrative

The discovery of 1q21.1 microdeletion syndrome challenges the widely accepted narrative of Dee Dee as a manipulative abuser. Instead, it paints a picture of a mother navigating an incredibly difficult situation: raising a child with an undiagnosed genetic disorder, advocating for her medical needs, and providing her with opportunities for joy and comfort. Dee Dee’s efforts were not perfect, but they were far from malicious.

The tragic events of 2015—when Gypsy and her then-boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn conspired to kill Dee Dee—cannot be fully understood without considering the pressures and misunderstandings that shaped their relationship. Gypsy’s delusional narrative served as a justification for her actions, but it does not align with the evidence of Dee Dee’s genuine efforts to care for her child.

A Legacy Reconsidered

The story of Dee Dee and Gypsy Rose Blanchard is more complex than the simplistic tales of abuse and manipulation often presented in the media. The identification of 1q21.1 microdeletion syndrome underscores the importance of understanding the genetic and psychiatric factors that shaped their lives. It also highlights the need for compassion and nuance when evaluating cases involving rare medical conditions and mental health challenges.

Dee Dee was not a perfect mother, but she was a dedicated one. Her efforts to provide for Gypsy and to navigate the complexities of her disorder deserve recognition and empathy. In reexamining this case, we honor the complexities of both their lives and the broader challenges faced by families dealing with rare genetic conditions.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Fancy-Headshot.jpg

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, 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 De Blanchard case gives a very personal look into what happened on June 15, 2015 in the town of Springfield, MO and more is entitled, “It’s All a Distraction- Our 7 Year Journey of Investigating the Life, Crimes, & Murder of De De Blanchard.” Check out our first three books in the series on Amazon and here on our website you can get signed copies.

Previous Post
Can 12 Steps Work for Anyone?
Next Post
Wicked Wednesday: The Infamous Obsession: Exploring Hybristophilia in Men and Women

1 Comment

  • January 21, 2025 at 7:01 am
    Jana Dotterer

    This is very well written and explains so much. I pray it opens many eyes to what is going on with this case. So many still view Gypsy as a child with her child-like voice and the way she is carrying herself in the public eye. Not enough will look past the media and deep dive into the facts! Gypsy still needs help with her medical or it will catch up with her a lot faster than she thinks. The truth in this story needs to have all the light on it and you are doing an excellent job! Dee Dee is the true victim in this case, and we need justice for her. I pray that will be coming soon! Looking through the things I have personally learned it is clear she was a single mom with the dead beat dad doing her best for her daughter. Gypsy isn’t aware of what a gift she had in her mom and she will never find the love her mom had for her.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

15 49.0138 8.38624 1 1 4000 1 https://thegoodwivesnetwork.com 300 0