In today's world, our laws have not evolved at the pace at which media and influencer culture have. The infamous "Son of Sam" laws, designed to prevent criminals from profiting off the publicity their crimes garner, no longer offer comprehensive protection to the victims and their families. It is time to modernize these laws in order to prioritize the rights and dignity of victims, such as those of Dee Dee Blanchard,(Clauddine Pitre)over the financial gains of criminals and influencers alike.

Son of Sam laws need to be updated to block convicted violent offenders from profiting off their crimes through social media, online monetization, book deals and documentaries.

The tragedy of Dee Dee Blanchard and her daughter Gypsy Rose Blanchard is a stark reminder of how sensational crime stories can capture the public’s imagination and be exploited by individuals. While their story was dramatized countless times and deeply discussed in various media outlets, the ripple effects on the surviving families went largely unseen. Dee Dee’s story, much like other victims of violent crime, needs to serve as a call to action to protect victims’ legacies from being exploited by those seeking fame or fortune.

The existing laws were conceived in an era without YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok — platforms where influencers can rapidly capitalize on a story and monetize their content, regardless of the emotional damage left behind from revisiting such traumas.

A modernized "Dee Dee Blanchard's Law" would act as a critical update to the Son of Sam narrative, addressing new digital avenues used for monetization that were unimaginable when the originals were passed. Here's what this proposed law would aim to enforce:

Indirect Profiteering: Prevent offenders from hiding assets or benefits through family members, LLCs, or third-party supporters.

 Asset redirect: Require proceeds tied to the notoriety of a covered offense to be disclosed,or redirected towards victim compensation or civil judgements.

Modernize the law: expand existing laws, written in the 1970s for book and television deals to include TikTok, YouTube, crowdfunding,and podcasts. 

Restrict Monetization: Prohibit convicted violent offenders, offenders on parole or supervised release from earning money through sponsorships, platform payouts, merchandise, or crowdfunding connected to their crime

Victims and their families have the right to their own narrative and should not see it manipulated and commoditized by influencers or criminals profiting from their pain. By extending these protections, we will uphold the integrity of victim relationships and ensure that modern media is used ethically.

We urge policymakers in all 50 states but especially Missouri to adopt  “Dee Dee Blanchard's Law" as a crucial step toward maintaining sensitivity and respect for victims and their families in our ever-evolving digital world. Your signature can make this vital change possible. Please sign the petition to help victims reclaim their stories and protect them from needless exploitation.