Sheriff: Woman Accused of Killing Mom May Have Faked Illness

Authorities say a Missouri woman charged with killing her mother may also have fooled her community into believing she was disabled so that she could collect donations.

Greene County prosecutors charged Gypsy Blancharde and her 26-year-old boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn of Big Bend, Wisconsin, with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of 48-year-old Clauddinnea "Dee Dee" Blancharde.

Authorities allege the couple last week killed the mother in the Springfield home she shared with her daughter.

Gypsy Blancharde was reported as using a wheelchair. Neighbors told media outlets she suffered from leukemia and muscular dystrophy.

But Sheriff Jim Arnott said Tuesday that Gypsy Blancharde may have feigned the need for a wheelchair as a donations ploy.

Court records do not list an attorney who could comment on the allegations.