Overview and Core Answer
The short answer to “who helped Gypsy kill her mom” is that Gypsy (Gypsy Rose Blanchard) was materially assisted primarily by Nicholas Godejohn, who physically carried out the murder, and secondarily by her online friend Lanny LaCour, who helped plan and facilitated travel. Both were prosecuted as accomplices under principles of aiding and abetting. This evergreen explainer details each person’s role, evidence, charges, and outcomes without sensationalism, focusing on verified facts from court records and reliable legal reporting.
Key Relationships and Roles
Understanding who helped Gypsy requires separating online influence from on-the-ground action. The case centers on Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Nicholas Godejohn, joined by a handful of peripheral figures who provided support or encouragement. Below is a concise attribution of roles, based on court documents and credible reporting.
| Person | Verified Role in the Crime | Legal Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Gypsy Rose Blanchard (victim’s daughter) | Conspired to kill Dee Dee Blanchard; lied in wait; post-murder deception | Prison sentence served; released 2025 |
| Nicholas Godejohn | Physical perpetrator; stabbed Dee Dee; traveled from Wisconsin with Gypsy | Life sentence without possibility of parole |
| Lanny LaCour | Online intermediary; coordinated travel; purchased supplies; discussed plans | 20 years federal plea for obstruction, cyberstalking, interstate threats |
| Dale Blanchard / Rod Blanchard | Gypsy’s father/foster figure; no evidence of direct assistance | Not charged |
| Claudia DeMartino | Gypsy’s online friend and advocate; tipped off media after the crime | Not charged |
Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s Situation and Motive
Gypsy Rose Blanchard grew up under a fabricated medical narrative imposed by her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, who claimed a range of severe conditions that were not medically supported. This prolonged isolation and medical abuse created a context in which Gypsy felt trapped and desperate. Her stated motive centered on ending what she experienced as ongoing harm and regaining agency. Courts acknowledged this background without excusing the crime, recognizing the complex interplay of control, dependency, and perceived entrapment.
Nicholas Godejohn: The Physical Actor
Nicholas Godejohn was the person who directly inflicted the fatal injuries. He met Gypsy online and traveled from Wisconsin to Missouri with her. According to trial evidence, Godejohn purchased a knife and waited inside the home while Gypsy distracted Dee Dee. Forensic evidence tied him definitively to the scene. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
Lanny LaCour: Planning and Facilitation
Lanny LaCour served as an online facilitator. He helped coordinate the trip, discussed the plan with Gypsy and Godejohn, and purchased items like a knife that was later used in the murder. LaCour’s communications showed active participation in the conspiracy. He ultimately pleaded guilty to federal charges, receiving a 20-year sentence for obstruction of justice, cyberstalking, and interstate threats. His role was significant but distinct from the physical act.
Legal Definitions: Conspiracy and Accomplice Liability
Under U.S. criminal law, “who helped” is framed through concepts of conspiracy and aiding and abetting. To be an accomplice, a person must intentionally assist the principal actor and possess the requisite mental state—knowledge of the crime and intent to facilitate it. Conspiracy requires an agreement to commit a crime plus an overt act in furtherance. Both Gypsy and Godejohn were found to have met these standards. LaCour was prosecuted for obstruction and cyber-enabled facilitation, illustrating how online actions can satisfy overt acts in a conspiracy.
Overt Acts and Evidence
Prosecutors built the case on digital trails, communications, and physical evidence. Key overt acts included: - Online conversations planning the murder and travel - LaCour’s purchase of a knife shipped to Gypsy’s address - Godejohn’s travel from Wisconsin to Missouri - Gypsy’s attempt to mislead responders at the scene These acts, captured in messages and receipts, formed the evidentiary backbone of the accomplice liability arguments.
Sentencing Outcomes and Timeline
The sequence of plea deals and trials shaped the final outcomes. Godejohn went to trial and received a life sentence. Gypsy pled guilty to second-degree murder and received a reduced sentence after time served. LaCour’s cooperation and guilty plea yielded a 20-year federal sentence. The timeline below highlights critical milestones.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| June 2015 | Murder of Dee Dee Blanchard | The central criminal act |
| 2015–2016 | Arrests of Gypsy, Godejohn, and LaCour | Initiation of the legal process |
| 2018 | Gypsy’s guilty plea to second-degree murder | Reduced charge and sentence |
| 2019 | Godejohn trial and conviction | |
| 2021 | LaCour federal plea | Overt acts and cyber facilitation penalized |
| 2025 | Gypsy’s release from prison | Completion of her sentence |
Common Misconceptions
- Only the person who stabs can be guilty: False. Conspiracy and aiding-and-abetting make helpers legally liable.
- Online advice is not a crime: Context matters. Concrete facilitation—travel, tools, planning—can cross into criminal conduct.
- Gypsy was entirely innocent because of abuse: Courts recognized abuse but did not void the homicide; she pled guilty and served time.
- The mother’s abuse excuses the murder: Background is considered at sentencing, but it does not negate criminal responsibility for the act.
Broader Takeaways
The Gypsy Rose Blanchard case illustrates how dependency, online communication, and accomplice dynamics intertwine in homicide conspiracies. It underscores that legal accountability extends beyond the person holding the weapon to those who materially assist the crime. For similar situations, key takeaways include: - Understand that planning and facilitation can be prosecuted as severely as the act itself. - Digital communications are discoverable evidence and can establish conspiracy. - Background context may mitigate sentencing but generally does not eliminate liability. - Accomplice liability applies to anyone who intentionally helps, regardless of physical presence.
Summary
In summary, Nicholas Godejohn physically helped Gypsy carry out the killing, while Lanny LaCour helped plan and facilitate the act online and in travel. Both were convicted as accomplices, reflecting how U.S. law treats material assistance to a homicide. This relationship-driven framework—perpetrator, planner, and physical actor—remains central to understanding “who helped Gypsy kill her mom,” grounded in court outcomes rather than speculation.