The 2017 documentary “Mommy Dead and Dearest” captures a unique moment in the life of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, when she filmed her boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, following the killing of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. Godejohn’s murder of Dee Dee was part of their plan to free Gypsy from her mother’s control. The snippet is significant for its first-person perspective, marking a shift in true crime storytelling from dramatic re-enactments to primary digital footage, which viewers now have access to more than ever before. Gypsy’s case is an example of a story that has been told through re-enactments, documentaries, and even a scripted series. However, with the rise of social media, Gypsy has become a social media personality, sharing her life experiences with millions of followers. The influence of technology on modern criminal investigations has become evident in recent documentaries, such as “I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth v. Michelle Carter,” and the murder trial of lawyer Alex Murdaugh. The availability of abundant smartphone and online video has brought viewers closer to the stories, making documentaries more insightful and immersive than ever. However, the re-emergence of people like Gypsy as social media personalities has sparked criticism, raising questions about the ethical boundaries of true crime storytelling and its voyeuristic nature. As the fourth wall cracks, the discomfort that arises from this kind of storytelling may have been a long time coming.
