Recently, Gypsy Rose Blanchard was released from prison after serving an eight-year sentence for plotting and helping murder her mom after being a victim of child abuse. Her release from prison sparked some controversy over the internet and has been highly talked about for the past 3 weeks because some people feel that she shouldn’t have been released. 

   Gypsy’s mom, Dee Dee Blanchard, used and manipulated Gypsy into thinking she was sick. Dee Dee Suffered from a mental disorder called Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy disorder. This disorder caused her to induce illness in Gypsy Rose so she could be her caretaker. After facing years of abuse from Dee Dee, Gypsy Rose plotted with her boyfriend to murder her mother in 2015 to escape the abuse. 

  Gypsy Rose’s case ultimately became extremely popular after Hulu dropped a series called “The Act” which is based on Gypsy Rose’s life and the murder of her mom Dee Dee. 

   Although Gypsy has received much support, some people believe it wasn’t fair that she was released. These people reason that Gypsy Rose was released because Dee Dee was murdered in self-defense. There are several other cases of self-defense and those people are facing life sentences. For example, many people have said since Gypsy was released, they should release the Mendez brothers too, which is another popular case. 

  “I think the Mendez brothers should also be released because both murder cases were in self-defense,” Grand Ledge senior Grace Pribble said.

  Along with that, people over the internet are skeptical about whether it’s right for Gypsy to get all of the positive attention from people because she is still considered a “murderer.” Over 1 week after Gypsy Rose’s release from prison, she gained over 12 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, and her following continues to grow. She’s been on multiple podcasts and has had many interviews talking about her situation, leading people to believe she’s using her situation for clout. 

   “I think some of it is right and some of it is wrong. My TikTok in the last couple of weeks has been filled with Gypsy’s story and I can understand it to an extent but it has become a bit extreme,” Senior Emma Dean says. 

 Despite the controversy, Gypsy Rose Blanchard continues to share her story and has even talked about releasing a new documentary and book about her life in the future.