Officials have found a 19-year-old girl who went missing and whose mother was found dead yesterday.

Gypsy Blancharde, who is wheelchair bound and has several health issues, was located safe in another state Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott said this morning.

Arnott also said a "person of interest" is in custody, also in another state.

Claudinnea "Dee Dee" Blancharde, 48, was found dead in her home Sunday afternoon in the 2100 block of North Volunteer Way. Her daughter Gypsy was also missing at that time.

A Facebook poster has claimed responsibility using vulgar language and without giving a name.

During a morning press conference, Sheriff Jim Arnott confirmed the mother had been found "deceased of a violent nature." He said Dee Dee Blancharde is believed to have died more than 24 hours before her body was found.

Arnott said investigators had not yet determined a motive in the killing.

Reporters asked Arnott if Gypsy is a suspect, to which he replied, "We're not ruling anything out."

Arnott said he did not believe the killing was random. He said it was "targeted."

Arnott said the family had recently move to the area.

"This family moved here from another state a little while back," Arnott said.

Deputies say they were first alerted by calls and a suspicious post on the mother and daughter's shared Facebook page.

On that post, another comment says the daughter was also harmed.

At the press conference, Arnott said investigators are able to "trace" posts on social media.

Arnott said several friends and neighbors called 911 to check on the mother and daughter, and one neighbor entered the home through a window but did not find anyone.

Deputies searched the home after 3 p.m. and found the elder Blancharde.

In a KY3 news story from about six years ago, it was revealed that the Blanchardes had a home built by Habitat for Humanity after the family moved because of Hurricane Katrina.

"It's so easy to live here and so peaceful," said Dee Dee Blancharde during the TV interview.

Gypsy listed some of the amenities of the new home and how they helped her get around in a wheelchair. She said: "It just proves happy endings are not just in fairy tales. They are real."

The Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the case, and urges anyone with information to call 911 or the GCSO tip line at 417-829-6230.

An autopsy is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. today.

A neighbor, Cheryl Goss, said she had known the mother and daughter for the past eight or nine years and they were "very sweet" people.

"Thank you, Jesus," Goss said upon learning that Gypsy Blancharde had been found. Goss said it was a relief to know the 19-year-old woman was safe, but also said that it was a sickening feeling to learn of Dee Dee Blancharde death.

Habitat for Humanity of Springfield is urging people to show support for the family and help in the search.

"This news is devastating to Habitat for Humanity of Springfield, MO, our community and families," said Larry Peterson, executive director, said in a news release. "At this time, our sole focus is finding Gypsy Blancharde. We ask the community to join us in prayer for the Blancharde Family."
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