HBO Slates Debut of True-Crime Doc Mommy Dead and Dearest

HBO has slated the premiere of the true-crime film Mommy Dead and Dearest, which explores a real murder case, for May 15.

The film will also be available on HBO On Demand, HBO NOW, HBO GO and affiliate portals. Mommy Dead and Dearest explores the true story of the murder of Dee Dee Blanchard, who was killed by her wheelchair-bound daughter, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, and the young woman’s boyfriend. The mother suffered from Munchausen by proxy syndrome, convincing her daughter that she was ill when in reality she was actually healthy. The years of abuse were cited as the motivation behind the murder. The film includes interrogation-room footage of Gypsy Blanchard, her boyfriend, Nick Godejohn, and various family members, as well as home videos and family photos, medical records, text messages and courtroom video.

In addition to candid interviews with Gypsy Blanchard from prison, the film features interviews with her father and stepmother; Dee Dee Blanchard’s father and stepmother; Dr. Bernardo Flasterstein, a pediatric neurologist who was one of the few to raise concerns about Dee Dee Blanchard’s claims; Gypsy Blanchard’s lawyer, Mike Stanfield; Greene County prosecutor Dan Patterson; Dr. Marc Feldman, an expert on Munchausen by proxy syndrome; and journalist Michelle Dean, who covered the story for BuzzFeed, among others.

Mommy Dead and Dearest was directed and produced by Erin Lee Carr. It was produced by Andrew Rossi, with co-producers Alison Byrne and Andrew Coffman, who also served as editor. The film made its world premiere in March at the South by Southwest Film Festival.